GM D. Gukesh slipped from the joint top spot after suffering his first defeat, at the hands of Frenchman Firouza Alireza, but teen prodigy R. Praggnanandhaa, ranked No. 14 in the world, played out an easy draw with American world No. 2 Fabiano Caruana in the seventh round of the Candidates Chess tournament here.

Following the loss, the 17-year-old Gukesh was down to the joint second spot on four points along with Caruana and Praggnanandhaa.

Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi regained his slender half-point lead, inching to 4.5 points out of a possible seven at the half-way stage following a draw with American Hikaru Nakamura.

After a draw with Nijat Abasov, Vidit Gujrathi took his tally to 3.5 points to share the fifth spot with Nakamura while Alireza pulled himself up a little on 2.5 points to take the seventh spot. Abasov with two points is still in the last place.

In the women’s section, R. Vaishali suffered her third loss in the event.

Tingjie Lei of China proved too good for her on a day when the other three games ended in draws.

Zhongyi Tan of China remained half a point ahead of the pack after drawing with closest rival Aleksandra Goryachkina of Russia.

Kateryna Lagno, Russia, played out a draw with Nurgyul Salimova of Bulgaria. Anna Muzychuk signed peace with India’s Koneru Humpy.

The Indian challenge in the women’s section might already have ended as Zhongyi stands ahead on five points while Goryachkina has 4.5 points in her kitty.

Lagno and Lei share the third spot on four points each and Salimova, on three, occupies the sole fifth position.

Humpy, Vaishali and Muzychuk need a miracle to make a comeback as the trio have 2.5 points each.