Sinquefield Cup: Gukesh, Pragg Continue Streak Of Draws, Caruana Holds Lead

Last Updated:August 23, 2025, 12:32 IST

American Fabiano Caruana, who also played out a draw against Wesley So on the day stands atop the table with 3.5 points, followed by Pragg and Levon Aronian at 3 points apiece.

D Gukesh. (PTI Photo)

On a day when all five games ended in a draw, Fabiano Caruana of the United States maintained his sole lead with 3.5 points after drawing with compatriot Wesley So.

In other matches, Samuel Sevian from the US continued his solid performance by drawing with Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan, while fellow American Levon Aronian drew against Frenchman Alireza Firouzja.

At the halfway stage of this nine-round event, part of the Grand Chess Tour, Caruana is followed by Praggnanandhaa and Aronian. A group of five players—Gukesh, Firouzja, Wesley, Sevian, and Vachier-Lagrave—share the fourth spot with 2.5 points each. Duda is close behind with two points, and Abdusattorov remains at the bottom with one point.

Praggnanandhaa faced little difficulty with his black pieces as Vachier-Lagrave’s Rossolimo Sicilian posed no challenges. Following routine theory, the players reached a middle game where the Frenchman opted to avoid risks, leading to a draw in just 26 moves.

Gukesh had an eventful game with his black pieces in a Queen’s pawn opening. After easily equalizing, the Indian player pursued his trademark complications, which nearly backfired as Duda found some clever maneuvers that led to a clearly better position according to the computer. However, a mistake in the middle game cost the Polish Grandmaster dearly, allowing Gukesh to neutralize White’s initiative and eventually achieve a draw through repetition. The game lasted 45 moves.

The players will resume the competition after a rest day, and an exciting finish is expected as there is only a one-point difference between Caruana and the player currently in eighth place in the standings.

The top four in the overall standings of the Grand Chess Tour will qualify for the grand finale later this year.

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United States of America (USA)

First Published:

August 23, 2025, 12:32 IST

News sports Sinquefield Cup: Gukesh, Pragg Continue Streak Of Draws, Caruana Holds Lead

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