Pragg beats Abdusattorov on demand, grabs UzChess Cup title after winning three-way tiebreaker

Pragg’s third major victory in 2025!

Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu emerged as the winner of the second edition of the UzChess Cup in Tashkent, capping off an impressive comeback with a dramatic victory in the blitz tiebreaks. The 19-year-old from Chennai defeated Nodirbek Abdusattorov with the black pieces in the ninth and final round of classical play, creating a three-way tie for first place on 6/9 points. Joining Pragg and Abdusattorv in the playoff was Javokhir Sindarov, who ended the classical phase on the same score. Praggnanandhaa then prevailed in the blitz tiebreakers, played with a 3+2 time control, to clinch the title.

In the playoff, the three contenders first played a double round-robin. Curiously, this section finished with all three players tied on 2/4 points, prompting a single round-robin decider. There, Praggnanandhaa scored 1½ points – a draw with Abdusattorov and a win over Sindarov – to secure outright victory in the tournament.

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Pragg’s triumph in Tashkent adds to what has been a remarkable year for the Indian star. He had already won two elite classical events in 2025: the Tata Steel Masters in January and the Superbet Chess Classic in May.

As highlighted by former world champion Vishy Anand, all three titles came after tiebreaks, demonstrating what the Indian legend described as “an impressive demonstration of character”. In Wijk aan Zee, Praggnanandhaa defeated world champion Gukesh Dommaraju in a direct tiebreak, while in Bucharest, he came out ahead in a three-way playoff against Alireza Firouzja and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave.

Earlier this month, Pragg also tied for first at the Stepan Avagyan Memorial in Jermuk alongside Aravindh Chithambaram, although that event did not feature a playoff, with Aravindh claiming the title on tiebreak criteria. His continued success has now propelled Praggnanandhaa to fourth place in the live world rankings and made him India’s number one, narrowly ahead of both Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi.

Pragg will now head to Zagreb for the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia, part of the Grand Chess Tour, where he is set to face elite opposition including Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, Gukesh and Abdusattorov.

All games – Tiebreaks

A topsy-turvy path to victory

The path to victory in Tashkent was far from smooth. After four rounds, Praggnanandhaa was tied for first with Abdusattorov on 3/4. However, consecutive losses in rounds five and six left him 1½ points behind the leader. Abdusattorov’s round-seven victory extended his lead, as Arjun and Sindarov emerged as the primary challengers. Pragg, though, mounted a stunning comeback, defeating Arjun in round eight and then scoring a must-win victory over Abdusattorov in the final round. Notably, in the ninth round, Pragg was handling the black pieces against a player who had, until that point, scored a perfect 4/4 with white.

The final round featured one more decisive result, with Shamsiddin Vokhidov beating Ian Nepomniachtchi with the white pieces. Vokhidov entered the event as the lowest-rated participant and finished with a respectable 4/9 score, gaining 6 rating points. Meanwhile, Nepo had a subpar performance, as he finished in penultimate place with a 3½/9 score.

Round 9 results

The final round result ensured that Praggnanandhaa would play in the tiebreaks, and his composure under pressure was again on display as he outscored both Uzbek rivals to take the title. With three major tournament victories in 2025 and continued progress up the world rankings, Praggnanandhaa has firmly established himself as one of the most formidable young players on the global chess scene.

Abdusattorov 0-1 Praggnanandhaa (Round 9)

Analysis by André Schulz

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Final standings

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Challengers: Theodorou beats Ma to claim outright victory

Nikolas Theodorou entered the final round of the Challengers with a half-point lead over two players, Mukhiddin Madaminov and Vitaly Sivuk, with all three frontrunners set to play with the black pieces.

A victory over Ma Qun allowed Theodorou to claim outright victory, as Madaminov also grabbed a full point – he beat Jakhongir Vakhidov – to finish in sole second place. Sivuk shared third place with top seed Vasyl Ivanchuk, who ended the event with a victory over Mukhammadzokhid Suyarov.

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Round 9 results

Final standings

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Futures: Atabayev emerges victorious

Much like Pragg in the Masters, Saparmyrat Atabayev claimed two consecutive wins in the final round to take the title in the Futures tournament. In Friday’s deciding round, Atabayev defeated Abdimalik Abdimasilov with the white pieces.

Long-time leader Ortik Nigmatov defeated Evgeny Alekseen in the final round to finish in sole second place. Notably, the 24-year-old grandmaster only signed one draw throughout the nine rounds of action.

Round 9 results

Final standings

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