chessbase india logo

Raunak Sadhwani beats Fabiano Caruana

by Shahid Ahmed - 10/07/2020

Due to Covid-19 pandemic all over-the-board tournaments have either been cancelled or postponed. However Chess is such a sport that can still be played online without huge modifications, in fact slim to none would be the right thing to say. Thanks to various online platforms, players from all over the world can now play against the stronger opponents from the comfort of their home. Since most of the top players are not taking part in any over-the-board tournaments, they are often seen in various Titled Tournament events. Raunak made the most of the opportunity and beat the former World Championship Challenger Fabiano Caruana. That's not all, he had a winning position against Anish Giri.

India's 65th GM beats former World Champion Challenger

Every Tuesday an online blitz tournament takes place on chess. com where only titled players all over the world are allowed to take part. This past Tuesday on 7th July, GM Raunak Sadhwani started the day well as he played well and got a winning position against Anish Giri in Round 4. However Giri somehow managed to save the day. Caruana won the Swiss League with 9.0/10 and Raunak finished eighth with 8.5/10. Raunak eliminated Caruana in the one-game mini match after Caruana misplayed in a completely winning position.

Beating a former World Champion Challenger is a huge feat

Caruana got a completely winning position but he misplayed it. It speaks a lot about Raunak's tenacity, despite having adverse position, he did not give up. He persevered and managed to beat the USA no.1

Caruana - Raunak, Titled Tuesday

Position after 33...Kg8

Caruana chose the incorrect continuation with 34.Qg3. Find out what was the better continuation instead.

Position after 35...Rxa2

White is still winning here if white plays correctly. However Caruana continued with 36.Rxa2 and allowed black to get back in the game. Raunak seized every opportunity he got and he eventually managed to exchange the queens and push the newly created passed pawn.

Position after 44.Ba7

44.Ba7 was Caruana's final mistake and Raunak got rid of impending trouble with 44...Qc1+ and now it was time for the 14-year old to be in control.

Study the analysis by IM Sagar Shah

14-year-old talent beats World no.2 | 13-point challenge | Caruana vs Raunak | Video: Sagar Shah

Anish Giri praised Raunak's win over Caruana and mentioned that Raunak's loss against him was an 'unlucky defeat'

Raunak expressed his happiness in his fb page

We have already mentioned that Raunak played fantastic against Giri in Round 4. Let's take a look at it.

Anish - Raunak, Titled Tuesday Round 4

Position after 30.g5

The game continued with 30...Rxf3 which is also good but what was a slightly better continuation for black?

Position after 32.fxg7

Find out the best continuation for black after 32.fxg7. It was imperative for black to defend the d6 pawn which eventually cost black the game.

Replay the stream

Replay the live stream of the Titled Tuesday Tournament | Video: Chesscom

Related news:
Raunak Sadhwani wins FIDE World Junior Rapid 2023 Open, Second in Blitz

@ 17/10/2023 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Nikolas Theodorou triumphs at Summer Chess Classic 2023, Raunak Sadhwani second

@ 02/09/2023 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Maharashtra Chess Festival brings forth two world class matches

@ 01/06/2023 by Sagar Shah (en)
Nagpur to host Vidit vs Svidler, Raunak vs Short + 3 tournaments at the Maharashtra Chess Festival 2023

@ 29/05/2023 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Raunak Sadhwani dominates 3rd La Nucia Open 2022

@ 17/10/2022 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Your chance to meet Vishy Anand and the young super talents of Indian chess in Bangalore!

@ 06/09/2022 by Sagar Shah (en)
Raunak Sadhwani dominates 28th Abu Dhabi Chess Festival Blitz 2022

@ 22/08/2022 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Fedoseev wins double at 27th Abu Dhabi Masters, Raunak third in Blitz

@ 16/12/2021 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Raunak Sadhwani: The strongest under-16 player in the world

@ 11/11/2021 by Saishyam Srikanth (en)
Raunak Sadhwani clinches 5th Innsbruck Open and crosses 2600

@ 31/08/2021 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Raunak Sadhwani wins 19th Splimbergo Open 2021 on India's 75th Independence Day

@ 17/08/2021 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Raunak and Arjun Erigaisi shine at Portuguese 1st Division 2020-21

@ 26/07/2021 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Raunak Sadhwani wins 40th St. Veiter Lemans Open 2021

@ 18/07/2021 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
रौनक साधवानी - भारत के भविष्य की एक और उम्मीद

@ 08/08/2020 by Niklesh Jain (hi)
Lucena in Lockdown #6 : GM Raunak Sadhwani

@ 25/04/2020 by Avathanshu Bhat (en)
Talent Test with GM Raunak Sadhwani

@ 15/11/2019 by Sagar Shah (en)
The ingredients that helped Raunak Sadhwani become the 65th GM of India

@ 30/10/2019 by Sagar Shah (en)
Breaking news! Raunak Sadhwani is India's 65th GM

@ 18/10/2019 by Sagar Shah (en)
Raunak Sadhwani scores his maiden GM norm at the Aeroflot Open 2019

@ 27/02/2019 by Sagar Shah (en)
12-year-old Raunak Sadhwani is just 22 Elo points away from becoming an IM

@ 12/05/2018 by Sagar Shah (en)