Chennai Grand Masters 2023 R5: Gukesh subdues Sanan, emerges sole leader
D Gukesh scored his second win in-a-row against Sanan Sjugirov (HUN) in the fifth round of Chennai Grand Masters 2023. Gukesh seized his advantage and synthesized an attack on the kingside. Sanan had no proper answer to it and succumbed. The Arjun Erigaisi-Levon Aronian saga continues. Arjun had a great opportunity to beat Aronian for the first time in a rated game in over two years. Unfortunately, he pushed a pawn incorrectly in the rook endgame and eventually lost his advantage. The two-time World Cup winner managed to salvage a draw. Pavel Eljanov (UKR) handed Alexandr Predke (SRB) his third consecutive loss. Gukesh is in the sole lead 3.5/5, followed by Pentala Harikrishna and Eljanov at 3/5 each. Arjun is at 2.5/5 along with Aronian and Parham. Penultimate Round 6 starts tomorrow at 3 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed
Arjun Erigaisi misses against Aronian in a thriller
Sanan - Gukesh: 0-1
GM D Gukesh (2720) defeated GM Sanan Sjugirov (HUN, 2703) in their last encounter at World Blitz 2021. This time also he was determined to repeat the same feat.
Sanan made a dubious pawn sacrifice 26.c5 to momentarily block the bishop's path and also open the queen's diagonal. However, Gukesh did not hesitate to take the pawn 26...Bxc5 27.Be3 Bxe3 28. Rxe3 f4 Black is not gaining any material immediately due to 29.Re4 Nd5 reinforcing the f4-pawn and unpinning his e6-rook 30.Qxb7 Qg5 finally the g3-knight is really under attack 31.Nf1 Rg6 32.g3 Qf5 33.Rae1 Qxh3 White's position is a wreck and Black won the game in another seven moves.
Arjun - Aronian: 0.5-0.5
Whenever Arjun Erigaisi (2727) and Levon Aronian (USA, 2723) face each other, one can certainly expect fireworks. This time also it was no different. Arjun's 6.Qe2 in Scotch Game was responded with 6...Rb8. A highly unusual line. After 22nd move, the game liquidated into a double rook endgame and eventually a favorable rook endgame for Arjun who had practical chances.
White needed to play 43.Rc1 to maintain his decisive advantage. It was certainly not easy to find. After pushing his pawn to 43.f5 he realized that a full point left his grasp. The game ended in a draw in the next few moves.
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Round 5 results
| Bo. | No. | Rtg | Name | Result | Name | Rtg | No. | PGN | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 2703 | GM | Sjugirov, Sanan | 0 - 1 | GM | Gukesh, D | 2720 | 8 | PGN | ||
| 2 | 4 | 2696 | GM | Harikrishna, Pentala | ½ - ½ | GM | Maghsoodloo, Parham | 2742 | 2 | PGN | ||
| 3 | 5 | 2727 | GM | Erigaisi, Arjun | ½ - ½ | GM | Aronian, Levon | 2723 | 1 | PGN | ||
| 4 | 6 | 2689 | GM | Predke, Alexandr | 0 - 1 | GM | Eljanov, Pavel | 2691 | 7 | PGN |
Standings after Round 5
| Rk. | SNo | Name | FED | Rtg | Pts. | TB1 | TB2 | TB3 | TB4 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | GM | Gukesh, D | IND | 2720 | 3,5 | 0 | 6,75 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2 | 4 | GM | Harikrishna, Pentala | IND | 2696 | 3 | 0,5 | 7,00 | 1 | 0 | |
| 3 | 7 | GM | Eljanov, Pavel | UKR | 2691 | 3 | 0,5 | 6,25 | 2 | 2 | |
| 4 | 1 | GM | Aronian, Levon | USA | 2723 | 2,5 | 0 | 6,75 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5 | 2 | GM | Maghsoodloo, Parham | IRI | 2742 | 2,5 | 0 | 6,50 | 1 | 0 | |
| 6 | 5 | GM | Erigaisi, Arjun | IND | 2727 | 2,5 | 0 | 5,50 | 1 | 0 | |
| 7 | 3 | GM | Sjugirov, Sanan | HUN | 2703 | 2 | 0 | 4,75 | 1 | 1 | |
| 8 | 6 | GM | Predke, Alexandr | SRB | 2689 | 1 | 0 | 2,50 | 0 | 0 |
Round 6 pairings
| Bo. | No. | Rtg | Name | Result | Name | Rtg | No. | PGN | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | 2720 | GM | Gukesh, D | GM | Eljanov, Pavel | 2691 | 7 | ||||
| 2 | 1 | 2723 | GM | Aronian, Levon | GM | Predke, Alexandr | 2689 | 6 | ||||
| 3 | 2 | 2742 | GM | Maghsoodloo, Parham | GM | Erigaisi, Arjun | 2727 | 5 | ||||
| 4 | 3 | 2703 | GM | Sjugirov, Sanan | GM | Harikrishna, Pentala | 2696 | 4 |
