Firouzja joins Pragg and Aronian in the lead
The second round of the Sinquefield Cup saw two decisive games and three draws, with both victories highlighting the dynamic and fighting character of modern elite chess. Gukesh Dommaraju recovered from his opening-day defeat by overcoming Nodirbek Abdusattorov, while Alireza Firouzja prevailed in a dramatic 100-move encounter against Jan-Krzysztof Duda. After two rounds, Firouzja, Levon Aronian and Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu share the lead on 1½ points.
Gukesh, having lost to Praggnanandhaa in round one, was eager to strike back. Playing the Open Spanish against Abdusattorov, he sacrificed a pawn in the early middlegame for dynamic compensation. Although inaccuracies later prevented him from exploiting his advantage fully, Abdusattorov also faltered in the complications. The Uzbek grandmaster ultimately lost control of the position, and Gukesh capitalised to score his first win of the tournament.
Gukesh 1-0 Abdusattorov
Analysis by Johannes Fischer
Gukesh Dommaraju and Nodirbek Abdusattorov | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Firouzja’s game against Duda proved even more dramatic. Entering a sharp line, Firouzja mixed up his move order and quickly found himself under heavy pressure. Duda appeared close to victory, but as the game extended into its second time control the balance shifted.
Firouzja defended resourcefully and then pressed once Duda began to slip in the long endgame phase. After 100 moves, the French grandmaster secured the full point, completing a remarkable turnaround.
Firouzja 1-0 Duda
Analysis by Karsten Müller
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Alireza Firouzja | Photo: Lennart Ootes
The remaining three games were drawn. Aronian surprised Sam Sevian in a known line of the Steinitz French with the unusual seventh move 7.Bd3, instead of the more familiar 7.Be3. The idea gave White a small pull out of the opening, but Sevian defended solidly to hold. Praggnanandhaa and Fabiano Caruana also followed this pattern, as Caruana’s early surprise did not lead to lasting chances, while Wesley So’s attempt to test Maxime Vachier-Lagrave’s renowned preparation in the Grünfeld Defence ended in a routine draw.
With Firouzja and Gukesh both bouncing back from precarious positions, and Aronian and Praggnanandhaa maintaining steady form, the standings remain tightly balanced.
World’s numbers three and four signed a 37-move draw | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Sam Sevian | Photo: Lennart Ootes
