India, May 15 -- Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa will take on Alireza Firouzja of France in the first round of the Super Chess Classic here, the first classical event of the year, which is as part of the Grand Chess tour.

Left as the lone Indian in the fray following the withdrawal of world champion D Gukesh from the classical format this year, Praggnanandhaa drew a favourable number and will get five white games out of nine rounds in the 10-player all-play-all event.

For the records, the total prize pool of the event is $3,50,000 with an additional $1,25,000 as bonus. The first prize is $1,00,000. The Indian is in need of an improved show following a mediocre outing in the last Candidates' tournament in April and has dropped to num...