PRAGGNANANDHAA VS ANISH GIRI | FIDE CANDIDATE 2026 | ROUND 1

 

PRAGGNANANDHAA VS ANISH GIRI | FIDE CANDIDATE 2026 | ROUND 1 

Opening Phase (Moves 1-10)

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. f4

Grand Prix Attack setup

Praggnanandhaa avoids main Sicilian theory and goes aggressive.

3. f4 signals kingside attack ideas.

Giri responds with a fianchetto setup (...g6, ...Bg7) - solid but slightly slow.

Key moment:

5. Bb5+ annoying check, disrupts Black's coordination.

10. f5! first aggressive pawn break

White already shows intention: attack over position

➤ Early Middlegame Chaos (Moves 10-18)

10... exf5 11. Qe1!

Smart move: supports Qh4/Qg3 ideas + kingside pressure

12. exf5 gxf5

Giri accepts structural damage risky decision.

13. Вхеб хеб 14. Qхеб

White wins central control & weakens Black's king.

Critical turning point:

15... 0-0-0?!

Opposite-side castling = GAME ON

Now it's a race: White attacks king, Black tries counterplay

Initiative Phase (Moves 16-25)

16. Bg5

18. Nd5

19. Nf6!!

This knight jump is

Forces:

19... Bxf6 20. Bxf6

Result:

White gets bishop pair + attacking chances

Black king still unsafe

22. Rxe8+ 25. Rxe6

Praggnanandhaa simplifies on his terms

Enters a better endgame with:

Active rooks

Better structure

Strategic Domination (Moves 26-34)

26. Ng5!

Targets weak kingside + f7 ideas

Strategic Domination (Moves 26-34)

26. Ng5!

Targets weak kingside + f7 ideas

28. Nxh7!

Free pawn + psychological pressure

29... d4 30. Be1

Calm defense + repositioning

31... Ng4 32. h3 Ne3 33. c3!

This is high-level play:

Stops Black's knight dominance

Prepares to open position at the right moment

Transition to Winning Endgame (Moves 34-40)

34... dxc3 35. bxc3

Opens b-file & activates pieces

37. Re6! 38. Rxf6

Clean conversion: White eliminates counterplay

39. h5 40. h6

Passed pawn created = LONG-TERM WINNING PLAN

Endgame Masterclass (Moves 41-51)

This is where R Praggnanandhaa shines

Key ideas:

King activation: Kf1 Ke3 Ke4 Kf5

Rook activity: cutting off Black king

Passed pawn: h-pawn becomes unstoppable

Final blow:

51. h7!

Pawn promotion is inevitable

Black resigns