São Paulo, October 1 (HS): India’s Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa suffered defeat in the semifinal of the Grand Chess Tour Finals 2025, losing to French GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave.After the classical games ended in a draw, the contest moved into two rapid and four blitz games. In the end, Vachier-Lagrave emerged victorious with a 17–11 scoreline. The Frenchman won the first rapid game to seize a four-point lead, while the second rapid encounter ended in a draw.

In the blitz stage, Praggnanandhaa had two opportunities to level the score but failed to convert winning positions due to errors, allowing Vachier-Lagrave to retain control and clinch the tie.Vachier-Lagrave will now face America’s Fabiano Caruana in the final, after Caruana edged out Levon Aronian 15–13 in a hard-fought semifinal.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar