Overview
- Alireza Firouzja defeated Luke McShane with Black after a decisive move-21 blunder in a Najdorf.
- Nodirbek Abdusattorov beat Abhimanyu Mishra with preparation extending 34 moves into a winning endgame.
- Nikolas Theodorou overcame Gawain Maroroa Jones in a Queen’s Gambit line with sustained kingside pressure.
- Round 2 produced three wins as Sam Shankland drew Pavel Eljanov after missing a tactic highlighted by the live engine on the broadcast.
- Michael Adams held Nikita Vitiugov to a quiet draw as live coverage and engine checks continued to frame the key turning points.