Photo: chess24

TORONTO — At the 2024 Candidates Tournament, Alireza Firouzja, a top contender known for his aggressive playing style and keen fashion sense, faced an unexpected challenge off the chessboard. During a critical phase of play, the tournament’s chief arbiter, responding to complaints about the noise from Firouzja’s shoes, suggested he consider quieter footwear. This advice, given amid a high-stakes game, led Firouzja to air grievances over social media, calling the incident a distraction. The episode prompted discussions among organizers about additional measures like extra carpeting to dampen such sounds in the future.

For more details, read the full article on Reuters here.

In Round 9 of the 2024 FIDE Candidates in Toronto, Canada, GM Vidit Gujrathi beats World No.3 GM Hikaru Nakamura for the second time in classical chess to mark a 2-0 score for Vidit in the Candidates!

Photo: FIDE / Maria Emelianova

GM Vidit Gujrathi clinched victory against GM Hikaru Nakamura in round two of this year’s Candidates Tournament with the black pieces, marking a pivotal moment in his career. Although this tough defeat, Nakamura had been on an upward trajectory in the tournament, beating GM Fabiano Caruana in Round 8, and getting back in the game of winning the Tournament.

In Round 9 it was time for Hikaru to face Vidit once again with the black pieces himself. Opting for the fashionable Italian Game, Nakamura embarked on an audacious path by initiating an early 6…g5, securing a promising position from the onset.

Reflecting on the game, Vidit pinpointed Black’s 15…Nh5 as a dubious move, signaling a turning point where his optimism surged. As the position gradually unraveled in subsequent moves, Nakamura’s calculations faltered in time pressure, leading to a succession of errors culminating in his resignation.

“Obviously I did not find the right moves, but my time usage was absolutely horrible. It was a huge reason why I could not find decent ideas, especially around moves 24-25.” the American GM acknowledged post-game.

But even in bad results, Hikaru is there to comment on his game!

In the midst of the 2024 FIDE Candidates Tournament, the spotlight fell on GM Gukesh Dommaraju as he stood on the brink of a pivotal victory that could have propelled him into the sole lead. However, the Indian suffered a heartbreaking loss against GM Alireza Firouzja under intense time pressure.

Photo: FIDE / Maria Emelianova

Gukesh, who had been sharing the tournament lead with GM Ian Nepomniachtchi, encountered a formidable challenge in Firouzja. With the advantage of playing with the white pieces, Gukesh found himself in a promising position, a pawn ahead and exerting pressure on his opponent. Yet, in a critical moment of the game, Gukesh made a fateful decision, opting for a piece sacrifice with 27...Nxf2, believing it to be a winning move. However, Firouzja countered with a brilliant defensive maneuver, unleashing 31. Qb3 to restore parity in the game.

Acknowledging his fortune in the post-match press conference, Firouzja credited his success to the alignment of the tactical stars. Despite finding himself trailing a piece, Firouzja’s resilient play, coupled with the potency of his queenside pawns, provided him with a lifeline. However, the intensity escalated as the clock ticked down, and Gukesh succumbed to another critical error with 36...Kh7, leading to a swift collapse of his position.

The riveting conclusion of the match, the final one to conclude, captivated viewers as the cameras zoomed in on the players immersed in the battle of wits. Despite the setback, Gukesh remained composed during the press conference, expressing his anticipation for the upcoming rest day to regroup and improve his performance. With the leader still within reach, Gukesh’s determination to bounce back remained undeterred.

In contrast, Firouzja adopted a pragmatic outlook, viewing his current position as an opportunity to embrace risk and pursue victory in the remaining games. “Now I have nothing to lose... I have to win all of the games basically!” he declared, embodying a spirit of fearless pursuit amidst the competitive fray.

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GM Vidit Gujrathi is back! After two tough losses, Vidit came back stronger, securing a crucial victory against GM Alireza Firouzja. This win not only helped him bounce back but also gave him a 50% score, 1 point behind the leaders.

Photo: FIDE / Maria Emelianova

In the Candidates clash between Vidit and Firouzja, Vidit showcased his dominance yet again, securing his third victory against his opponent. Firouzja, opting for an unconventional queen maneuver in the Sicilian Rauzer, reminiscent of a move previously employed by Gelfand, found himself in hot water early on, encountering difficulties as early as move 11. Reflecting on the game, Vidit remarked, “It was very apparent that I’m better. The only question was if I can convert it cleanly because I was low on time.”.

After narrowly missing an opportunity to triumph over Caruana in the previous round, Vidit seems to have regained his stride, as he expressed, “The people around me showed the positive side.”.

As the tournament reaches its midway point with round seven, players will soon face familiar adversaries once more in this double round-robin format. Notably, both frontrunners will navigate their matches as Black: Nepomniachtchi will contend against the resilient Nakamura, while Gukesh will strive to maintain his composure against a potentially unsettled Firouzja.

Caruana and Praggnanandhaa, both trailing the leaders by a half-point, remain within striking distance, while Vidit aims to sustain his impressive resurgence against the lowest-seeded competitor in the tournament. Following this round, players will enjoy a well-deserved rest day before continuing their pursuit of victory.

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In a battlefield against some of the best female chess players in the world, GM Alexandra Kosteniuk reclaimed her place at the top of the charts at the 11th Swiss Queens Wednesday Tournament with a 9.5/11 score.

The latest edition of the Swiss Queens Wednesday Series witnessed fierce competition and remarkable achievements, with GM Alexandra Kosteniuk emerging as the triumphant queen for the second time in 11 events. Scoring an impressive 9.5/11, Kosteniuk displayed her exceptional skill to clinch victory and a prize of $300.

IM Alina Kashlinskaya showcased her consistency and determination by securing second place for the third time, with a score of 9/11, earning her a well-deserved prize of $250. Meanwhile, IM Polina Shuvalova demonstrated her resilience and expertise to claim third place with a score of 8.5/11, walking away with a prize of $200.

In a closely contested battle for fourth place, GM Valentina Gunina and WCM Assel Lesbekova both finished with a score of 8/11. However, after falling behind in the tiebreak, Gunina secured fourth place and a prize of $150, while Lesbekova claimed fifth place and a prize of $100.

These outstanding performances not only highlight the talent and skill of these remarkable chess queens but also underscore the importance of platforms like #QueensWednesday in promoting gender diversity and inclusivity in the chess community.

As the Swiss Queens Wednesday Tournament Series continues to grow and evolve, it continues to provide a platform for female players to shine, inspire, and make their mark on the world of chess. Congratulations to all the participants for their remarkable achievements, and here’s to many more moments of chess brilliance in the future!

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