Grand Master R. Praggnanandhaa wins Maiden Grand Chess Tour event in Romeia, Gukesh ends 6th | Mint

May 16, 2025 ends on a historic note for Indian sports lovers. Javelin star Negaj Chopra broke the 90 meter mark for the first time in his career. The Indian won a silver medal in the Diamond League in Doha, the capital of Qatar. History was also made about the same time in Bucharest, about 4200 kilometers from Doha. Indian Grand Master Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa won the Chess Classic Romania 2025, his first win in the Grand Chess tour. Three-way tie The main event ends in a three-way tie. Praggnanandhaa, the French grandmother Alireza Firouzja and Maxime Vachier-Lagier-Lagrave-all three finished at 5.5 points after 10 rounds. Tiebreaker, Blitz Playoffs Tie-Break 1: The match between Alireza Firouzja and Praggnanandhaa ends in a draw. Both players awarded 0.5 points. Tie-break 2: The match between the two French grandmothers ended in a draw. Both players awarded 0.5 points. Tie-Break 3: Praggnanandhaa defeated Maxime Vachier-Lagrave within 16 seconds and got 1 point to win the tournament. Prize money and points Praggnanandhaa earns $ 77,667 (approximately Rs. 66, 48, 345) as prize money and received a points for 10 Grand Chess Tour (GCT). Chennai’s 19-year-old youngster expressed his feelings on social media. Gukesh ends Gukesh, the current world chess champion, the sixth top seed, could only finish 6th place in the event. Gukesh earned $ 17,125 (about Rs. 14, 65, 911) and got 3.5 GCT points. Grand Chess Tour 2025 Praggnanandhaa finishes third in the ‘Superbet Rapid & Blitz Poland’ event held in Warsaw last month. The next event ‘Superunited Rapid & Blitz Croatia’ will take place in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia.