D Gukesh successfully managed to bounce back from his opening round setback with a dominant victory over the Uzbekistan’s Grandmaster Nodirbek Abdusattorov in the second round on Wednesday in Sinquefield Cup.
The win came as a strong response to his opening-round defeat against compatriot R. Praggnanandhaa.
Gukesh displayed sharp readiness while playing with the white pieces in what turned into an exciting battle. The competition extended to 50 moves, with both players using planned intricacies before Gukesh took control and locked the point.
The 18-year-old star said: “Especially after yesterday, probably one of the worst games that I’d played, it was nice to bounce back like this. If I would prefer to make two draws or a loss and a win, I’d prefer a loss and a win.”
His words highlight not just resilience but also a fighter’s mindset—valuing decisive outcomes over passive draws. The victory put Gukesh back on track in a high-profile event that features many of the world’s strongest players.
Meanwhile, Praggnanandhaa, who had started the tournament with a win against Gukesh, settled for a quiet draw against the USA’s Fabiano Caruana. The game saw both players tread cautiously, with neither side pushing too hard for victory.
Caruana, who was satisfied with the result, admitted he had some concerns early on. “I kind of surprised him in the opening and then I think I misplayed it a bit, so I was a bit concerned. That’s why I decided to sac a pawn… but it was still a relatively comfortable draw,” he explained after the game.
Elsewhere in the round, Alireza Firouzja of France grabbed the headlines with a marathon victory against Poland’s Jan-Krzysztof Duda. Their clash, lasting a grueling 100 moves, was the day’s longest and most hard-fought encounter. Firouzja eventually prevailed, adding another vital point to his tally and underlining his reputation as one of the most dynamic young talents in the chess world.
With his victory, Firouzja moved into joint leadership of the tournament. He now shares the top spot with Praggnanandhaa and American GM Levon Aronian, all of whom are off to solid starts in the prestigious competition.
The upcoming third round promises further excitement. Gukesh will face American Grandmaster Sam Sevian, this time with the black pieces. Praggnanandhaa too will take up the black side of the board in his clash with Abdusattorov, who will be eager to recover from his second-round setback.
The Sinquefield Cup, a key event in the Grand Chess Tour, continues to deliver enthralling encounters, blending youthful energy with established brilliance. With players like Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, Firouzja, and Caruana all in the mix, the tournament is shaping up to be a fierce battle of ideas, endurance, and nerves.
For Gukesh, the second-round triumph serves as an important morale booster. The reigning champion will look to build momentum and remind the chess world why he currently sits at the very top of the sport.
