Minimalist Pragg has all the momentum
Praggnanandhaa scored a hat-trick by winning all three matches in just three games, the minimum required to win a match. He will face the toughest challenge of the tournament in the form of Magnus Carlsen in Round 4. We all remember Pragg beating the world champion for the very first time, a little over two months ago at Airthings Masters.
Liem - Praggnanandhaa: 0.5-2.5
The first game was a draw. Both players were gauging each other, Pragg had some small chances but nothing substantial. The second game went Pragg's way.
Praggnanandhaa - Liem, Game 2
34.h6 is a fantastic attacking move Qxd4 35.Qxg5 Qg4? Black needed to play 35...Ng4 to prevent the checkmate threat at g7. 36.Qc5 Qf4 37.Qxc6 Qxh6 38.Rxe8+ Rxe8 39.Bxb5 things went out of Black's hand. Soon Black had to give up an exchange to get rid of the passed b-pawn but it was already too late. Pragg arrived at a Rook vs Knight endgame. It became just a matter of time and technique for him to convert it into a full point.
Praggnanandhaa decided to sacrifice an exchange as he gained the second pawn for it.
Liem - Praggnanandhaa, Game 3
Praggnanandhaa played 22...Bxd4 confidently. He was not afraid of 23.Bb4 as he was ready with a rebuttal Ne5 24.Bxf8 Kxf8 25.b3 b5. Now that's a play of someone who is only playing for a win.
31.Rxd7 Qxd7 shows that he is not afraid of playing a Rook and Bishop vs Two Knights endgame. He believes in the passed pawn at c4 because he can go for a draw.
In time scramble, Pragg first made a big mistake. Soon his opponent made a bigger mistake 51.Rc7 which cost him the game. 51.Be4 would have forced Black to draw the game by perpetual check Qe2+ 52.Kg1 Qe1+. Find out the winning continuation for Black after 51.Rc7.
Another day another beautiful finish by Pragg. No matter what happened earlier, a cute finish like that definitely makes one's day.
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All games will start from 9:30 p.m. IST between 22nd and 28th April 2022.
