Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa held French GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave to a tense draw in their first semifinal clash at the Grand Chess Tour Finals 2025.
The match, played in Sao Paulo, saw high drama as Praggnanandhaa made a critical error with just one second left on the clock, but Vachier-Lagrave failed to capitalize.
“I don’t know why I panicked here, there was just no reason to panic,” Praggnanandhaa admitted after the game. “I could have literally played any other move and made an easier draw.”
Despite the slip, the 18-year-old Indian GM showcased resilience and tactical awareness to salvage the game. The tournament follows a knockout format with mixed time controls—two classical, two rapid, and four blitz games per tie.
In the other semifinal, Fabiano Caruana and Levon Aronian also played out a draw, setting up an intense battle ahead.
The Grand Chess Tour Finals continue to deliver world-class matchups, with Praggnanandhaa’s performance reaffirming his status as one of the brightest young talents in global chess.
