Bucharest, May 23: Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa ended his campaign with an easy draw against Anish Giri while Vincent Keymer crushed Jorden Van Foreest to clinch the Super Chess Classic title here on Saturday.
Getting into the final round in joint lead with Fabiano Caruana of United States on five points, Keymer had an excellent chance to annex the crown if he wins against Dutchman Foreest.
Keymer ended the tournament on six points from four victories, four draws and a lone loss against Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan.
Caruana finished second after a draw with Vachier-Lagrave finishing with a tally of 5.5 points.
Wesley So of the US played an easy draw with Sindarov in the finale to end joint third with the Uzbek on five points and it was a five-way tie thereafter with Praggnanandhaa, Giri, Foreest, Vachier-Lagrave and Deac Bogdan-Daniel of Romania ending on an identical 4.5 points.
Alireza Firouzja, who had withdrawn from the tournament with one point after round five was poised to end at the bottom giving away four walkovers.
Giri was clearly disappointed coming into the last round as he did not try for more with his white pieces against Praggnanandhaa.
For the record, it was a Nimzo Indian defence wherein the Capablanca variation by Giri gave the Indian an easy equality and subsequent exchanges led to a drawn Bishop and pawns endgame. The game was over in 31 moves.
Keymer was clearly the star of the tournament. Playing the white side of a Sicilian with a closed centre, the German showcased his growing positional sense against Foreest. (PTI)
