Tata Steel Masters: Carlson beats Pragyananand to take the lead; Vidit’s first defeat

Van Forrest launched an attention-grabbing novelty on the white facet of the Nimzo-Indian protection in opposition to one of many Gujrati leaders and an error on trick 36 by the Indian GM proved expensive because the Dutchman gained late on Saturday.

It was the Gujarati’s first defeat within the match and the Indian slipped to joint third after being among the many leaders on the conclusion of the sixth spherical.

Meanwhile, Carlsen gained his second straight sport to take the lead.

The world champion defeated debutant Pragyanand with black items, whereas none of his closest rivals managed to attain full factors. His win got here in 34 strikes and took his tally to five factors.

Daniil Dubov misplaced his sport in opposition to Anish Giri after the Russian GM refused to play with a face masks on.

It was a request by the organizers when somebody involved with Dubov examined optimistic for COVID-19.

Azerbaijan’s Shakhriyar Mamedyarov is in second place, half a degree behind Carlsen, whereas the Gujarati is in joint third with three others – Andrey Esipenko, Giri and Richard Rapport – with 4 factors.

In the Challengers occasion being performed collectively, Indian GM Arjun Arigasi drew with Kazakhstan’s Rinat Zumabayev in spherical seven to take his tally to six factors. He is one level forward of the sphere.

Fellow Indian Surya Shekhar Ganguly is joint fourth on 4 factors after a draw with Voloder Murzin (Russia) within the seventh spherical.

Standings after Round 7: Masters: 1. ?? Gnus Carlsen 5 factors; 2. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 4.5; 3-6. Vidit Gujrathi, Richard Rapport, Andrey Esipenko, Anish Giri 4; 7-9. Sergei Karjakin, Fabiano Caruana, Jordan van Forrest 3.5; 10-11. Sam Shankland, Jan-Krzysztof Duda 3; 12-13. Daniel Dubov, R Pragyanand 2.5; 14.Nils Grandelius 2.