Chennai GM 2026: Firoja Defeats Pranesh as Tournament Begins

Chennai’s Westin Hotel was the venue for the opening round of the Chennai Grand Masters 2026 on July 16. French Grandmaster Alireza Firoja recorded the only win of the day, overcoming Indian GM M. Pranesh after 79 moves. The decisive moment came in a rook‑pawn ending where Firoja’s pawn promotion proved decisive.

The remaining games ended equally. World Champion D. Gukesh and GM Nihal Sarin split the point, while GM Arjun Erigaisi and GM Dmitri Andreikin agreed to a draw after 42 moves. GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov also drew with GM Hans Niemann after a 44‑move battle.

The event features eight grandmasters playing a double‑round robin schedule, with each round starting at 3 p.m. Historically, the Chennai Grand Masters has been a launchpad for future elite players—its inaugural champion, Gukesh, later clinched the Candidates and rose to world champion status. He is the only past champion on this year’s roster.

Round‑1 outcomes: - GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov 0.5 – GM Hans Niemann 0.5 - GM Arjun Erigaisi 0.5 – GM Dmitri Andreikin 0.5 - GM M. Pranesh 0 – GM Alireza Firoja 1 - GM D. Gukesh 0.5 – GM Nihal Sarin 0.5

Round‑2 pairings have been announced, continuing the double‑round robin battle.