Indian Grand Master Pentala Harikrishna went down fighting to Russian GM Peter Svidler in third round to suffer his first loss in the Moscow FIDE Grand Prix 2017 here late on Sunday night.
The World No. 16 Indian, playing in white pieces started off aggressively and maintained pressure on his higher rated opponent during the initial stage of the game. However, one miscalculated move mid-way into the tie saw Svidler seize the momentum and turned the tides on Harikrisha.
“The 19 Bg5 was a bad decision and it was after this move that black took the initiative and gradually went on to win the game,” a dejected Harikrishna said after the game.
With two draws and one loss, Harikrishna now has one point from three rounds in the 9-round Swiss tournament which offers illustrious prize money of € 130,000 as well as chance to qualify for the prestigious candidates tournament. He wills now take on Ernesto Inarkiev of Russia in the fourth round.