GCT Finals: Pragg and MVL miss chances in topsy-turvy game

The Grand Chess Tour Finals opened in São Paulo with the first classical games of the semifinals, both ending in draws after moments of tension. Fabiano Caruana introduced a rare line in the French Defence against Levon Aronian but failed to maintain his advantage. Meanwhile, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu missed a winning continuation in time trouble, allowing Maxime Vachier-Lagrave to simplify into a tricky pawn-up endgame, which he failed to convert into a victory. | Photo: Lennart Ootes