Chess Controversy! Praggnanandhaa stops clock; draw call sparks uproar - Watch

NEW DELHI: A infinitesimal of precocious play and disorder stole the spotlight connected Day 2 of the Tata Steel Chess India Rapid successful Kolkata, triggering statement crossed the chess world. The incidental happened during Round 6 erstwhile R Praggnanandhaa stopped the timepiece with conscionable 1 2nd remaining, starring to a melodramatic and debated gully against Wesley So.The concern arose erstwhile Praggnanandhaa precocious a pawn adjacent to promotion but realised determination was not capable clip to implicit the determination and regenerate the pawn with a queen.

With the timepiece astir to tally out, helium stopped the timer and sought help. Commentators watching the crippled believed So would beryllium awarded the triumph connected time, but aft discussion, the arbiters ruled the crippled a draw.Well-known chess arbiter Chris Bird powerfully criticised the ruling. "Should person been ruled a loss. "6.11.2 A subordinate whitethorn intermission the chessclock lone successful bid to question the arbiter’s assistance, for illustration erstwhile promotion has taken spot and the portion required is not available." No promotion really took spot truthful this is not applicable here," Bird wrote connected X, questioning the officials’ interpretation.

Away from the debate, the tourney itself delivered high-quality chess. Five-time satellite champion Viswanathan Anand showed his acquisition and warring tone to bounce backmost aft an aboriginal loss.

In Round 4, Anand looked successful power earlier a rook blunder allowed Arjun Erigaisi to crook the crippled around. However, Anand responded strongly, beating Hans Niemann and Volodar Murzin to determination into associated pb with Nihal Sarin connected 4.5 points.Nihal enjoyed an fantabulous run, having 3 games successful a row. He took vantage of mistakes by Niemann and Murzin earlier showing beardown endgame skills to decision Vidit Gujrathi.In the women’s section, Kateryna Lagno topped the standings with 4.5 points aft six rounds. Among the Indian players, Vantika Agrawal stood 5th with 3 points, portion Harika Dronavalli, R Vaishali and Rakshitta Ravi remained successful contention.