Oslo Esports Cup R5: Minimalist Praggnanandhaa strikes again, regains sole lead

by Shahid Ahmed - 27/04/2022

Praggnanandhaa got back to his winning ways as he beat Eric Hansen in minimum number of games, just like his previous three wins. The wunderkind is back in the sole lead at Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Oslo Esports Cup. He started the day with a victory against the popular streamer. The second game ended in a draw after the Canadian could not find a way to capitalize on his advantage. Pragg won the third game to win the match and get back to the top of the points table. Magnus Carlsen was befuddled about how he blundered a rook in the second game. He eventually lost the match against Jorden van Foreest. Pragg will face FIDE World Cup 2021 winner Jan-Krzysztof Duda in the penultimate round, which starts tonight at 9:30 p.m. IST. Photo: chess24

Jorden beats Carlsen

Magnus Carlsen suffered a shocking loss against one of his seconds, Jorden van Foreest in the second game of Round 5. The world champion blundered a complete rook and he was flabbergasted by it.

Praggnanandhaa is back to his winning ways | Photo: chess24

Praggnanandhaa - Hansen: 2.5-0.5

Eric Hansen went wrong early in the Slav opening against Praggnanandhaa in the first game.

Praggnanandhaa - Hansen, Game 1

Position after 9...Bb4

9...Bb4 causes Black to lose material after 10.Nxd7 Qxd7 11.h5 Be4 12.f3 drops the light square bishop. There is not enough compensation either. 9...dxc4 is what Black needed to play.

Praggnanandhaa crushes the Slav | Video: ChessBase India

The Story of Pragg's Immortal Rook | Video: ChessBase India

Hansen had a decent advantage in the middlegame of the second game. However, he was unable to capitalize on it and Praggnanandhaa managed to equalize, eventually draw the game. In the third game, Hansen did not respond correctly to Praggnanandhaa's attack.

Praggnanandhaa - Hansen, Game 3

Position after 24...h6

24...gxh4 would have ensured that Black's kingside does not get cramped. 24...h6 blindsided the g7-bishop further. 25.hxg5 hxg5 26.Qc1 Bg6 27.f4 Bh6 28.fxg5 fxg5 29.e6 and it's all over for Black. A beautiful positional squeeze by Praggnanandhaa.

Final moments of Pragg vs Eric Hansen | Video: ChessBase India

Praggnanandhaa in action against Eric Hansen | Photo: ChessBase India live stream

Magnus Carlsen's reaction when he realized that he blundered a complete rook against Jorden van Foreest | Photo: chess24

Magnus Carlsen forgets how the pieces move?! | Video: ChessBase India

One of Carlsen's seconds - Jorden van Foreest handed Carlsen his second match loss of the event | Photo: chess24

Round 5 in progress | Photo: ChessBase India live stream

Replay the live stream

Oslo Esports Cup 2022 Round 5 Live commentary by IM Sagar Shah and Amruta Mokal | Video: ChessBase India

Replay Round 5 games

Round 5 results

Liem and Mamedyarov won their respective matches in tie-breaks | Photo: chess24

Standings after Round 5

Praggnanandhaa is back in the sole lead | Photo: chess24

Round 6 pairings

Praggnanandhaa will be up against Jan-Krzysztof Duda in Round 6 | Photo: chess24

All games will start from 9:30 p.m. IST between 22nd and 28th April 2022.

Links

Official site

Tournament regulations

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