D Gukesh has hearty laugh after 'friendly' draw with Pragg, remains unbeaten in 2025

Gukesh has extended his unbeaten run since becoming World Chess Champion in December to eight following a draw with compatriot R Praggnanandhaa in the Tata Steel Masters at Wijk aan Zee in the Netherlands on Sunday.

Gukesh, playing black, settled for a draw after 33 moves to stay in joint lead with Praggnanandhaa and Uzbek star Nodirbek Abdusattorov on 5.5 points each.

The game between Gukesh and Pragg was into a tense endgame with a rook and a minor piece on either side, besides a handful of pawn islands, when they shook hands. Gukesh, 18, and Pragg, 19, are both Chennai based and good friends. It was nice to see them sharing a laugh after the game.

Nodirbek drew with Vladimiri Fedoseev in his eighth round game. The leading trio of Gukesh, Pragg and Nodirbek is unbeaten in the 13-round Swiss event, which comprises a series of playoffs to determine the eventual winner.

Pentala Harikrishna recovered from his defeat to Gukesh in round 7 to hold Anish Giri to a draw. Meanwhile, Arjun Erigaisi's average display in the event continued as he was held to a draw by Alexey Sarana.

Erigaisi started the event as India's No. 1 before a series of poor performances saw him lose the position to Gukesh in live ratings. With just 2 points from eight games, Erigaisi remains at the bottom of the points table, while a fifth Indian in the event, Leon Luke Mendonca, is placed 13th with 2.5 points.

After a rest day on Monday, Gukesh will play white against Mendonca, while Praggnanandhaa has black against Giri.