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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As the 2024 Candidates Tournament unfolds, chess enthusiasts worldwide are treated to a spectacle of strategic brilliance, surprising upsets, and nail-biting showdowns. With each round delivering its share of thrilling moments, let’s take a closer look at the highlights that have captivated fans and players alike.

Photo: Maria Emelianova / chesscom

Round 1 kicked off with a daring move from Hikaru Nakamura, who sacrificed two rooks against Fabiano Caruana. The bold maneuver left spectators in awe and our fan zone host, IM Trent Lawrence, spinning from the dizzying calculations required to comprehend Nakamura’s audacious play.

In Round 2, Vidit Gujrathi made history by defeating Nakamura with the Black pieces, ending Nakamura’s impressive 47-game unbeaten streak in classical chess. The victory sent shockwaves through the chess community and solidified Gujrathi as a formidable contender in the tournament.

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Round 3 saw the emergence of a sibling duo as GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu and GM-elect Vaishali Rameshbabu secured victories. Praggnanandhaa’s impeccable preparation against compatriot Vidit showcased his strategic prowess, while Vaishali’s triumph highlighted the rising talent among female players in the chess world.

In Round 4, GM Ian Nepomniachtchi demonstrated his dominance by securing a crucial win against Vidit, propelling him to a half-point lead in the tournament. With his sights set on becoming the Challenger for the third consecutive time, Nepomniachtchi’s strategic acumen and resilience were on full display.

Round 5 treated fans to a marathon battle between GM Gukesh Dommaraju and GM Nijat Abasov, with Dommaraju emerging victorious in the longest round of the tournament. Meanwhile, Nepomniachtchi narrowly escaped a precarious position against Praggnanandhaa, showcasing his ability to navigate complex situations with finesse.

These electrifying moments have transformed the World Chess Club Berlin into a hub of excitement and anticipation. As fans eagerly await each round, the tournament continues to deliver unforgettable moments of skill, determination, and sheer brilliance!

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Two wins and two draws for the two-time Candidates Champion Ian Nepomniachtchi at the FIDE Candidates 2024, after defeating Vidit Gujrathi in Round 4, which brings him clear first with 3/4 points right before the rest day!

Photo: FIDE / Maria Emelianova

Recognizing Vidit’s prowess in crafting formidable opening strategies as Black, Nepomniachtchi strategically guided his opponent into the Berlin Defense endgame, a scenario where White typically secures a dominant kingside pawn majority. In a pivotal moment during move 12, Nepomniachtchi introduced a theoretical novelty, prompting Vidit to deliberate extensively.

Prior to the commencement of the Candidates Tournament, it was evident that opening preparation would serve as a cornerstone for Nepomniachtchi’s campaign. Demonstrating his adeptness in the Ruy Lopez, the Russian GM opted to confront the notorious Berlin Defense endgame with fresh insights. While the positional outcome might not have been particularly breathtaking, Nepomniachtchi capitalized on his substantial time advantage, exerting considerable pressure on Vidit with his swift and incisive moves.

The precision and finesse exhibited by Nepomniachtchi throughout the game garnered praise from commentators, including GM Daniel Naroditsky, who lauded the elegance of his maneuvers.

Adding an extra layer of intrigue to Nepomniachtchi’s stellar showing was his revelation that GM Jan Gustafsson, renowned for his collaboration with GM Magnus Carlsen during the 2021 world championship, is lending his expertise to Nepomniachtchi’s preparation for this significant event.

Will Nepomniachtchi have another chance with Ding Liren for the World Title?

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