Dubai Open Chess: Praggnanandhaa, Arjun proceed with wins; Vignesh surprises top seed Predke

Other leaders were Vladimir Akopian (USA), Rinat Jumabayev (Kazakhstan), Aram Hakobyan (Armenia), Mahammad Muradli (Azerbaijan) and Alexander Indjic (Serbia).

R. Praggnanandhaa beat P. Shyam Nikhil to continue his unbeaten streak in the tournament so far. (File Photo) | Photo Credit: The Hindu

Arjun Erigiasi and R. Praggnanandhaa stayed on course of their much-awaited clash following their third straight victory that made them part of a eight-man leading pack in the Dubai Open chess tournament in Dubai on Monday.

On a day when N. R. Vignesh surprisingly held top seeded Russian Alexandr Predke and V. S. Rathnavel exceeded expectations by proving equal to Germany's Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu, Arjun defeated Raja Rithvik in 32 moves and Praggnanandhaa stopped P. Shyaamnikhil in just 25 to be among the leaders.

READ | Arjun Erigaisi replaces Gukesh as India No. 2 in live ratings

Sahaj Grover was the third Indian to maintain an all-win record after racing past Ritviz Parab in 23 moves.

Other leaders were Vladimir Akopian (USA), Rinat Jumabayev (Kazakhstan), Aram Hakobyan (Armenia), Mahammad Muradli (Azerbaijan) and Alexander Indjic (Serbia).

Leading results (Indians unless stated):

Third round: Alexandr Predke (FIDE, 2.5) drew with N. R. Vignesh (2.5); R. Raja Rithvik (2) lost to Arjun Erigaisi (3); P. Shyam Nikhil (2) lost to R. Praggnanandhaa (3); Vladimir Akopian (USA, 3) bt Siddharth Jagadeesh (Sgp, 2); Kushagra Mohan (2) lost to Rinat Jumabayev (Kaz, 3); Rohith Krishna (2) lost to Alexander Indjic (Srb, 3); Aram Hakobyan (Arm, 3) bt Suyog Wagh (2); Kashish Jain (2) lost to Mahammad Muradli (Aze, 3); Sahaj Grover (3) bt Ritviz Parab (2); V. S. Rathnavel (2.5) drew with Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu (Ger, 2.5); Abhijeet Gupta (2.5) drew with Ortik Nigamatov (Uzb, 2.5); L. R. Srihari (2.5) drew with S. P. Sethuraman (2.5); Ziaur Rahman (Ban, 2.5) drew with Raunak Sadhwani (2.5).