India, May 16 -- As early as Round 3 of this year's Candidates tournament, R Praggnanandhaa was in for a jolt. One that perhaps shaped his performance in the remaining rounds and led to his underwhelming finish. Javokhir Sindarov, his peer and rival from age-group events, defeated him twice - in Round 3 and 10 - and went on to win the tournament in Cyprus with a record unbeaten score.

They sat across from each other in Bucharest on Friday - one a newly-minted challenger to the world champion and the other his long-time adversary who just didn't want to lose to him for a third straight time.

Playing with the Black pieces against Sindarov in Round 2 of the Super Chess Classic, Praggnanandhaa exacted revenge, to share the tournament lead w...