Gukesh Suffers Second Loss, Nihal Sarin Beats Arjun Erigaisi

Published 22 July 2026 · local

Gukesh Suffers Second Loss, Nihal Sarin Beats Arjun Erigaisi Curated By, Last Updated: July 22, 2026, 09:10 IST GM M Pranesh beat D Gukesh, Nihal

Gukesh Suffers Second Loss, Nihal Sarin Beats Arjun Erigaisi Curated By, Last Updated: July 22, 2026, 09:10 IST GM M Pranesh beat D Gukesh, Nihal Sarin beat Arjun Erigaisi. Alireza Firouzja leads Chennai Grand Masters with 4 points. Erigaisi and Abdusattorov share second place. Rapid Read D Gukesh (Norway Chess/X) GM M Pranesh continued his impressive run at the Chennai Grand Masters, handing world champion D Gukesh his second successive defeat, while GM Nihal Sarin outplayed compatriot Arjun Erigaisi in the penultimate round on Tuesday. Erigaisi’s loss proved costly, allowing French GM Alireza Firouzja to move into sole lead with 4 points after settling for a draw against GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov in Round 6. Erigaisi and Abdusattorov now share second place with 3.5 points each, setting up an intriguing final round.

Organised by MGD1, the elite eight-player round-robin tournament boasts a prize purse of ₹75,00,000 along with crucial FIDE Circuit points, adding further significance to every result. Following the ceremonial first move by Narendra Kumar, Managing Trustee of Chola Foundation, alongside WGM Aarthie Ramaswamy, Gukesh appeared poised to finally open his account with a victory. However, the reigning world champion faltered at key moments, miscalculating more than once. Pranesh capitalised with composure and precision, converting his chances to secure his first win of the tournament in 39 moves. In another high-stakes clash, Erigaisi needed just a draw against Nihal to remain tied at the top with Firouzja. For much of the contest, that outcome seemed within reach. But Nihal produced a moment of brilliance, uncorking a decisive rook sacrifice that swung the game firmly in his favour.

Erigaisi, unable to recover from the tactical blow, resigned after 60 moves. Round 6 results GM Hans Niemann (2.5) drew with GM Dmitry Andreikin (3) GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov (3.5) drew with GM Alireza Firouzja (4) GM Arjun Erigaisi (3.5) lost to GM Nihal Sarin (3) GM M Pranesh (3) beat GM D Gukesh (1.5) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered Who is leading the Chennai Grand Masters after Round 6? After Round 6 of the Chennai Grand Masters, French GM Alireza Firouzja is in sole lead with 4 points. GM Arjun Erigaisi and GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov share second place with 3.5 points each. What are the implications of Gukesh's second loss? Gukesh suffered his second consecutive loss at the Chennai Grand Masters, losing to GM M Pranesh.