India's R Praggnanandhaa delivered a tactical masterclass on the opening day of the 2026 FIDE Candidates, defeating Dutch No. 1 Anish Giri.
Key takeaways
Quick scan — what you need to know:
- India's R Praggnanandhaa delivered a tactical masterclass on the opening day of the 2026 FIDE Candidates, defeating Dutch No.
- 1 Anish Giri.
- While only three games in the Open section saw decisive results, Praggnanandhaa's clinical precision highlighted a formidable start to his campaign.
- The Women's section saw all four games end in draws.
Background
What led here, in plain terms:
- India's R Praggnanandhaa delivered a tactical masterclass on the opening day of the 2026 FIDE Candidates, defeating Dutch No.
- 1 Anish Giri.
- While only three games in the Open section saw decisive results, Praggnanandhaa's clinical precision highlighted a formidable start to his campaign.
- The Women's section saw all four games end in draws.
Why it matters
Why readers and decision-makers should care:
- India's R Praggnanandhaa delivered a tactical masterclass on the opening day of the 2026 FIDE Candidates, defeating Dutch No.
- 1 Anish Giri.
- While only three games in the Open section saw decisive results, Praggnanandhaa's clinical precision highlighted a formidable start to his campaign.