Introduction
Indian chess sensation Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu has clinched his maiden Grand Chess Tour (GCT) title by triumphing at the Superbet Chess Classic 2025 held in Bucharest. The 19-year-old grandmaster outscored Alireza Firouzja and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in a tightly contested playoff to secure this milestone victory.
Final Round Drama in Bucharest
Heading into the final round, Pragg needed only a draw against Levon Aronian to stay in contention—and he delivered. However, strong wins by Firouzja and MVL in their respective games forced a three-way tie, leading to a high-stakes playoff.
Playoff Breakdown: Blitz Battles Decide the Title
- Pragg drew with Firouzja in a balanced Giuoco Piano game.
- MVL and Firouzja also drew after a precise Caro-Kann battle.
- In the decisive final game, Pragg played White against MVL and launched a strategic pawn sacrifice to gain initiative.
A late error by MVL—choosing 37...Qc3 over safer lines—allowed Pragg to seal the game with 38.Qa7, targeting the undefended f7 pawn. MVL immediately resigned, conceding the title to the young Indian.
Standings and GCT Points
Pragg, Firouzja, and MVL all scored 5.5/9 in classical play, earning 10 GCT points each. However, Pragg gained an additional $10,000 playoff bonus and jumped to second place in the overall Grand Chess Tour standings, trailing MVL by just two points.
Pragg’s Meteoric Rise
This marks Pragg’s second major win of 2025, following his triumph at the Tata Steel Masters. He now stands as one of three Indian players in the world top 10 under the age of 21, along with Arjun Erigaisi and reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju.
Learn more about India’s Rise in World Chess Rankings and how the country is becoming a powerhouse in global chess.
Notable Games and Mistakes
- Firouzja vs Deac: Deac missed 52.Qd3, playing 52.Rh3 instead, which led to a losing queen exchange.
- MVL vs Duda: Duda erred with 34…Re4 instead of 34…Qe4, allowing MVL to activate his rook and win.
Conclusion
With this victory, Praggnanandhaa has firmly established himself as a future World Championship contender. His tactical depth, composure under pressure, and consistency continue to inspire a new generation of chess fans in India and around the world.