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The Chennai Grand Masters 2024 witnessed a thrilling day of chess action, with India's Pranav V. continuing his dominance in the Challengers section and Arjun Erigaisi seizing the lead in the Masters category.Pranav, playing with black pieces, showcased his tactical prowess against Vaishali R. In a bold move, he sacrificed his Queen early on, forcing Vaishali to exchange her own. The game turned into a fierce battle, with both players exchanging heavy blows. However, Pranav's strategic maneuvering proved too strong, and he eventually forced Vaishali into a corner, securing his fourth consecutive victory.In the Masters section, Erigaisi emerged as the frontrunner after defeating Amin Tabatabaei in a clash of the leaders. Erigaisi, who recently ascended to the World No. 2 spot in Live Ratings, displayed his exceptional skills, accumulating 3.5 points from four rounds.Other notable performances in the Masters category included stalemates between Vidit Gujrathi and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, as well as Aravindh Chithambaram and Levon Aronian. Parham Maghsoodloo and Alexey Sarana also played out a draw.In the Challengers category, Leon Mendonca and Abhimanyu Puranik fought to a balanced draw, while Karthikeyan Murali showcased his talent with a strong win over Harika Dronavalli. Raunak Sadhwani and Pranesh M. concluded their match with a well-contested draw but lost ground on runaway leader Pranav.The Chennai Grand Masters 2024, taking place at the Anna Centenary Library in Chennai from November 5 to 11, 2024, features two categories: Masters and Challengers. The Masters category boasts a competitive field with a rating average of 2729, while the Challengers category provides a platform for emerging Indian talent.

Collin Morikawa, the two-time major champion, has rediscovered his golfing prowess after experiencing a breakthrough moment at the Masters. Known for his exceptional iron play, Morikawa had been struggling in recent years. However, a revelation at the driving range on Monday ignited a resurgence in his game.Morikawa's newfound confidence with his irons was evident in his performance at Augusta National. He shot a solid 69 on Saturday, the second-best round of the day, and was just one stroke behind leader Scottie Scheffler. His precision with his irons allowed him to create numerous birdie opportunities.In addition to his improved iron play, Morikawa also made a bold decision to switch putters mid-tournament. Despite the reluctance of players to make equipment changes during competition, Morikawa reverted to his old Olson prototype blade after using a Spider Tour X mallet in the first round. This change proved to be a masterstroke, as he felt more comfortable and confident with his putting.Morikawa's resurgence is a testament to his resilience and determination. After a difficult period, he has found a way to rediscover his form and is now a contender for the Masters title. A victory would bring him one step closer to a career grand slam, with only the US Open trophy missing from his collection.Morikawa's journey serves as a reminder that even the most talented players can experience setbacks. However, with perseverance and a willingness to adapt, they can overcome adversity and return to their peak performance.

Rory McIlroy, the 34-year-old Northern Irish golfer, continues his pursuit of a first Masters Green Jacket, which would complete his career grand slam. Despite 12 cuts and seven top-10s in 15 starts at Augusta National Golf Club, McIlroy has yet to sustain his brilliance over four rounds.Since 2014, the Masters has become an elusive goal for McIlroy. He has experimented with various approaches, including playing fewer tournaments and seeking psychological guidance. However, his efforts have not yielded the desired results.In 2022, McIlroy finished second to Scottie Scheffler, his best Masters finish. This year, he has made changes to his preparation, including a trip to Las Vegas to work with Butch Harmon, Tiger Woods' former coach.McIlroy believes that maintaining normalcy and staying relaxed is crucial for his success. He has also focused on improving his weaknesses, such as putting, and elevating his strengths.One key factor that has hindered McIlroy at the Masters is his inability to start strong. Since 2009, he has had only two sub-70 Thursday rounds. This year, with the opening round expected to be completed on Friday morning due to weather disruptions, a hot start will be essential.McIlroy will play his first two rounds alongside world No. 1 Scheffler and Xander Schauffele. He is determined to overcome his past struggles and finally claim the elusive Green Jacket.