Sinquefield Cup: Duda and Gukesh play a thrilling draw
Shahid Ahmed·2 min read
The fifth round of Grand Chess Tour Sinquefield Cup 2025 witnessed five draws. However, it featured quite possibly the most exciting game of the tournament so far. FIDE World Cup 2021 winner, Jan-Krzysztof Duda (POL) played an exciting game against the reigning World Champion, D Gukesh. Duda had some winning chances, though they were not easy to find. Eventually, the game ended in a draw via repetition. All games ending in draws meant that the standings remains unchanged. Fabiano Caruana (USA) is still the sole leader 3.5/5, followed by Levon Aronian (USA) and R Praggnanandhaa at 3/5 each. Today is the sole rest day. Round 6 starts tomorrow Sunday 24th August at 12 p.m. local time, 10:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour
Jan-Krzysztof Duda and D Gukesh's exciting battle is observed by Fabiano Caruana, Wesley So and Nodirbek Abdusattorov | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour
Duda - Gukesh: 0.5-0.5
Jan-Krzysztof Duda (POL, 2725) and D Gukesh (2776) played only two Classical rated games. Both of them ended in draws. Their third battle was a wild one. It seemed to be heading towards a decisive outcome.
Position after 23...Qf3
20.gxh4 Rxh4 21.Rc1 Ra6 22.b4 Qg4 23.Bf1 Qf3 and we reached the above diagram 24.b5 Ng4? computer recommends 24...Bb7. The game continued 25.Qa2 Qxh1 26.Rc7 Qf3 now 27.Bg2! Qf6 28.bxa6+- is winning for White. However, it was not easy to find. Duda opted for 27.bxa6 Rxh2 28.Qe2 Rf2 29.Qxf3 exf3 30.a7 Rb2 and the game meandered into a draw. Check out the analysis by the endgame expert, Dr. GM Karsten Mueller himself.
Jan-Krzysztof Duda vs D Gukesh, Commentary by IM Sagar Shah | Video: ChessBase India
Gukesh's game of brilliant moves | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club
Jan-Krzysztof Duda (POL) and D Gukesh played a fantastic game | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour
Interview with Fabiano Caruana | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club
Fabiano Caruana (USA) - Wesley So (USA): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour
Interview with Samuel Sevian | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club
Samuel Sevian (USA) - Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour
Alireza Firouzja (FRA) - Levon Aronian (USA): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave vs R Praggnanandhaa, Commentary by IM Sagar Shah | Video: ChessBase India
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA) - R Praggnanandhaa: 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Crystal Fuller / Grand Chess Tour
Replay live stream
Replay Round 5 live commentary by IM Sagar Shah and Amruta Mokal | Video: ChessBase India
Schedule and Format
Sinquefield Cup will have one round per day from 18th to 27th August. Rest day is on Saturday 23rd August. Each round starts at 12 p.m. local time, 10:30 p.m. IST. It will be a 10-player Round Robin event. GCT Playoffs if required will take place on 28th August.
Schedule | Photo: Grand Chess Tour
Round 5 results
All five games ended in a draw in the fifth round | Graphic: Grand Chess Tour
