GM D Gukesh and GM Ian Nepomniachtchi in lead at Candidates 2024

Every Chess-playing country is talking about Indian Chess, as 4 players debut in World Candidates 2024. GM D Gukesh, GM  R Praggnanandhaa, GM Vidit Gujarathi and GM Elect R Vaishali Debuted at World Candidates 2024. After legendary Visvanathan Anand and GM Koneru Humpy these are the 4 players to debut for India at the Candidates 2024.

Debutants so far has impressed the Chess fraternity by their performances. It all started with GM Vidit Gujarathi crushing World no 3 GM Hikaru Nakamura in 29 moves in round 2. Meanwhile, GM R Praggnandha and his sister GM Elect R Vaishali have impressed with their overall performance.

GM D Gukesh has displayed exceptional skills and he is the overnight leader along with GM Ian Nepomniachtchi scoring 3.5 points out of 5. GM D Gukesh scored his wins against GM Abasov Nijat and GM R Praggnanandhaa where he drew with World no 2 Fabiano Caurana and the previous World Championship Challenger GM Ian Nepomniachtchi.

When GM Vidit Gujarathi defeated the World no 3 and one of the favorites GM Hikaru Nakamura it looked like he has a solid edge to progess in the event but classic GM R Praggnanandhaa stopped him in the next round and again he lost to World no 7 GM Ian Nepomniachtchi.

GM Elect R Vaishali has been really impressive and shown tremendous skills to be on the 4^th position Scoring 2.5 points. She scored her first win against GM Nurgyul Salimova. While as the experienced GM Koneru Humpy started her campaign on a sound note.

Former World Champion and World no 1 GM Magnus Carlsen has played only 1 candidates tournament which he won and became the world champion. And we are seeing GM D Gukesh is in lead with the tournament favorite GM Ian Nepomniachtchi can he Vidit or Pragg win this candidates to challenge the world champion GM Ding Liren from China .

Results after Round 5

Open:

1. Gukesh, Nepomniachtchi – 3.5
3. Caruana – 3
4-5. Praggnanandhaa, Nakamura – 2.5
6. Vidit – 2
7-8. Abasov, Firouzja – 1.5

Women’s:

1. Tan Zhongyi – 3.5
2. Goryachkina – 3
3-5. Salimova, Lagno, Vaishali – 2.5
6-8. A. Muzychuk, Lei, Koneru – 2

Round 6 pairings:

Open:

Gukesh – Nakamura
Vidit – Firouzja
Praggnanandhaa – Abasov
Nepomniachtchi – Caruana

Women’s:

Vaishali – Lagno
Koneru – Lei
Tan – A. Muzychuk
Salimova – Goryachkina

Photo Credits: Maria and Michal Walsuza