Champion’s Comeback Keeps Pressure on Leader
World champion D. Gukesh delivered a spirited comeback on the second day of the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia 2026, keeping himself firmly in contention for the title after six rounds of the prestigious Grand Chess Tour event in Zagreb. The Indian grandmaster overcame an early defeat to stay among the tournament’s frontrunners, while compatriot R. Praggnanandhaa experienced mixed results against a strong field of international competitors.
Gukesh Bounces Back with Consecutive Victories
Gukesh began the day with a setback against Romanian grandmaster Bogdan-Daniel Deac but responded impressively by defeating Dutch grandmaster Jorden van Foreest. He followed that victory with another commanding performance against Anish Giri, collecting two crucial wins that propelled him into a share of second place with seven points after six rounds. His resilience demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the world’s most formidable rapid chess players.
Praggnanandhaa Faces Mixed Results
R. Praggnanandhaa started positively by defeating Van Foreest in the fourth round, showing flashes of the form that has made him one of India’s brightest chess talents. However, he was unable to sustain the momentum, suffering defeats against Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov and tournament leader Alireza Firouzja. Despite the setbacks, Praggnanandhaa remains capable of climbing the standings with strong performances in the remaining rounds.
Firouzja Extends Lead at the Top
French grandmaster Alireza Firouzja continued his impressive run by scoring five points from six games on the second day. His dominant display allowed him to strengthen his lead at the top of the standings with ten points from twelve available, making him the player to beat as the rapid section heads towards its conclusion.
Crucial Final Rounds Await Indian Stars
The final rapid rounds are expected to play a decisive role in determining the tournament champion. Gukesh is set to face Abdusattorov, Vincent Keymer and Firouzja in three high-stakes encounters that could reshape the leaderboard. Praggnanandhaa will also be aiming for a strong finish before the competition moves into the blitz section, where every point will be vital in the race for the overall title.
India’s leading grandmasters continue to make a strong impression on the global stage, and their performances in Croatia further underline the country’s growing stature in international chess.
