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Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa's hopes of a strong finish at the Sinquefield Cup took a hit as he squandered a winning position against Wesley So of America in the fifth round. The Indian prodigy, who had a chance to move into contention for the title, faltered in the endgame, allowing So to escape with a draw.Praggnanandhaa's setback was compounded by World Championship challenger D Gukesh, who settled for a hard-fought draw against Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan. The Indian duo, who have been in impressive form this year, have now dropped valuable points in the tournament.Meanwhile, Alireza Firouzja of France emerged as the sole leader after beating Anish Giri of Holland. The French prodigy, who has been in scintillating form, now has 3.5 points, a half point ahead of So.The other matches in the 10-player round-robin tournament ended in draws. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France, Ding Liren of China, Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia, and Fabiano Caruana of the United States all shared the third spot on 2.5 points each.Praggnanandhaa's loss was particularly disappointing as he had been in a commanding position against So. The Indian had a significant material advantage in the endgame but failed to convert it into a victory. This has been a recurring theme for Praggnanandhaa, who has often struggled to close out games from winning positions.Despite the setback, Praggnanandhaa remains in contention for a top-three finish. He will need to bounce back strongly in the remaining rounds and hope that the leaders falter.

Ziaur Rehman, Bangladesh's most decorated chess player, passed away at the age of 50 after suffering a stroke during a tournament game. Known for his imaginative and risk-taking style, Ziaur was a 15-time national champion and the country's second Grandmaster.Ziaur's passion for chess extended beyond his own playing career. He often brought his wife and son to tournaments, eager to share his love of the game with them. At the 2022 Chess Olympiad, he and his son Tahsin Tajwar Zia became the first father-son duo to compete on the same team.Ziaur's peers remember him as a kind-hearted and humble individual. "He was perhaps the nicest guy I've ever known," said GM Reefat Bin Sattar. "He inspired and pushed me to be a better player."Ziaur's impact on Bangladesh chess was profound. He was a role model for aspiring players and a mentor to many young talents. His untimely passing has left a void in the chess community.Ziaur's legacy will live on through his son, who is also a promising chess player. "He was a talented player, a fighter on the board, and an introvert off it," said Dibyendu Barua, who knew Ziaur since childhood. "He was family to me."Ziaur's death is a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing the moments we have with loved ones. He will be remembered as a passionate chess player, a devoted father, and a true gentleman of the game.

P Shayaamnikhil, a 31-year-old chess prodigy from Nagarcoil, Tamil Nadu, has finally achieved his long-awaited dream of becoming India's 85th Grandmaster (GM). After a 12-year wait, Shayaamnikhil secured his third and final GM norm at the recently concluded Dubai Police Masters chess tournament.Shayaamnikhil's journey to GM status began at the tender age of eight when he was introduced to the game by his parents. Despite facing financial constraints, he relocated to Chennai to pursue his chess aspirations under the guidance of renowned coach K Visweswaran.In 2011, at the age of 19, Shayaamnikhil earned his first GM norm at the Mumbai Mayors Cup. He followed it up with a second norm at the Indian championship. However, completing the rating requirement proved to be an elusive goal for the next 12 years.Shayaamnikhil faced numerous setbacks and missed opportunities during this period. He narrowly missed his final norm at the Dubai Open in 2012 and struggled to find success in tournaments in Vietnam and the UAE.Undeterred, Shayaamnikhil remained determined to achieve his GM title. In 2017, he began competing in Europe, hoping to secure the elusive norm. However, he faced further disappointments, including a missed opportunity at a tournament in France just before the Dubai Police Masters.With unwavering resolve, Shayaamnikhil entered the Dubai Police Masters with a renewed sense of purpose. He needed just one win and eight draws to complete his GM title. In a nail-biting final round, Shayaamnikhil conjured the necessary victory, securing his third GM norm and the coveted 2500 ELO rating points.Shayaamnikhil's triumph is a testament to his perseverance and unwavering belief in his abilities. He credits his parents, coach, and the support of his fellow players for his success."I started playing at the age of eight, my parents taught me but I could not play any tournament for three years. Winning the under-13 State championship opened up opportunities for me as I could play Asian and age group world championship," Shayaamnikhil recalled."Now that the title is done, I can play more freely," he added.

Chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa has garnered praise from legendary grandmaster Gary Kasparov for his quick and efficient autograph-signing technique. In a video posted on Twitter, Kasparov remarked, "Smart lad; a fast and short signature means your hand doesn't get sore so quickly!"Praggnanandhaa's rise to stardom has been meteoric. In 2023, he became the youngest player to reach the World Cup final, following in the footsteps of Viswanathan Anand. His impressive victories over Magnus Carlsen in 2022 brought India's chess prowess into the spotlight.The Chennai-based prodigy began his chess journey at the tender age of 5. By 12, he had become India's youngest and the world's second-youngest Grandmaster. Praggnanandhaa's love for mathematics and his ability to unwind with Tamil music and television shows add to his multifaceted personality.In 2023, Praggnanandhaa secured a silver medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games. His achievements have cemented his status as one of the most promising young chess players in the world.Kasparov's praise for Praggnanandhaa's autograph-signing technique highlights the importance of efficiency and practicality in the world of chess. The ability to conserve energy and maintain focus during long tournaments can give players a competitive edge.Praggnanandhaa's success is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and natural talent. As he continues to climb the ranks of chess, he is sure to inspire future generations of players and bring further glory to India on the global stage.