GM D Gukesh and GM R Praggnanandhaa half point behind the tournament leader GM Ian Nepomniachtchi

Round 6 GM Vidit Gujarathi Stunned World no 2 Alireza Firouza playing with black the French man opted for Sicilian Defense and was in trouble from move no 13 . Vidit kept on attacking and got better of him. Vidit said in the post match Press Conference that  “Probably it’s a bit of tilt. He lost yesterday, he’s on -3, and the tournament is not going his way. It happens; sometimes you become a bit emotional when you’re tilted.”

GM R Praggnanandhaa scored another fine victory over GM Abasov. Pragg was in a happy state and at the Press Conference he stated, Praggnanandhaa joked at the press conference that he’s always trying to play solid but somehow manages to end up in messy, double-edged positions. The game against Abasov was another mind-bending one, with numerous beautiful lines that did not appear on the board.

GM Koneru Humpy and GM Elect Vaishali Lost her respective games in Round 6, whereas GM D Gukesh drew with World no 3 GM Hikaru Nakamura maintaining his lead in the tournament along with GM Ian Nepomniachtchi.

 Round 7

GM Ian Nepo and GM Tan Zhongyi in sole lead at the Half way of Candidates 2024

Candidates Tournament this time is as unpredictable as Toronto’s weather.  It was heart break for Indian Fans as the overnight Co leader of the tournament GM D Gukesh lost to World no 2 GM Alireza Firouza. Playing with White, Gukesh was up a pawn and pressing his opponent, when he miscalculated and went for 27…Nxf2, a piece sacrifice that he thought was winning. The tables turned when Firouzja found a great defensive resource with 31. Qb3, completely equalizing. 

It was a calmer affair In GM R Praggnanandhaa’s game as he drew with GM Fabiano Caruana. GM Praggnanandhaa gave a surprise by opting for French defense in his game and the peace treaty was signed at move no 41.

Now the Crowd favorite and the come backman GM Vidit Gujarathi was held for a draw by GM Abasov.  Vidit had minor opportunities to score another win but couldn’t find the right continuation of his King side attack.

GM Koneru Humpy drew against GM Anna Muzychuk, whereas GM Elect R Vaishali lost to GM Lei Tingjie of China.

Today is the rest day at Candidates 2024. We are half way through the tournament and now a very interesting phase starts which will determine the World Championship Challenger.

Standings after Round 7:

Open:

1. Nepomniachtchi – 4½
2-4. Caruana, Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa – 4
5-6. Vidit, Nakamura – 3½
7. Firouzja – 2½
8. Abasov – 2

Women’s:

1. Tan Zhongyi – 5
2. Goryachkina – 4½
3-4. Lagno, Lei – 4
5. Salimova – 3
6-8. Vaishali, Koneru, A. Muzychuk – 2½

Round 8 pairings:

Open:

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

Women’s: 

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

Photo Credit: Michal Walusza and Maria Emelianova