Chennai Grand Masters: Gukesh held to a draw by Nihal Sarin in opening game
On a day of draws, French-Iranian grandmaster Alireza Firouzja was the only player to emerge from the first round of Chennai Grand Masters 2026 with a win, prevailing over young Pranesh M in 79 moves. The day’s twin ‘friendship derbies’ — the games between D Gukesh and Nihal Sarin, and Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Hans Niemann — ended in draws, as did Arjun Erigaisi’s clash with Dmitry Andreikin.