In a sensational match at the FIDE Candidates 2024, Vidit Gujrathi took down one of the favourites, world no. 3 Hikaru Nakamura, with black pieces to secure an outright victory on Friday in Toronto. This was Nakamura’s first loss in 47 classical games, dating back to the last Candidates tournament.
In another decisive match involving the Indians, Gukesh D also secured a thrilling win over compatriot R Pragganandhaa. Gukesh was an hour behind on the clock and was in a tough spot but turned it around with black pieces and ended up winning a point. All Indians had started with draws in the inaugural round.
In women’s Candidates, R Vaishali lost her second-round match against China’s Tan Zhongyi, who made it two wins out two to become the leader. Koreru Humpy, who was facing Kateryna Lagino, secured her second consecutive draw to make it a total of one point from two matches.
Thrilling day. Vidit beat one of the favourites Nakamura with a new idea. Praggnanandhaa sacrificed a lot of material, but Gukesh defended well and struck at the end to win the Chennai derby
– Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) April 6, 2024
This is the biggest win of 29-year-old’s Vidit’s career and he did it in only 29 moves, with a ‘new idea’ as Vishwanathan Anand described it. He executed a 8…c6 and sacrificed his bishop later in the game to finish with the win.
Much older than his teenaged compatriots Gukesh and Pragganandhaa, Vidit was comparatively under the radar this Candidates. But his big win on the second day of the competition has ensured that any such notions will be buried while reiterating the rise of Indian chess at this level.
����Vidit Santosh Gujrathi (2727) clinches victory against ����Hikaru Nakamura (2789) in an electrifying showdown, unleashing a novelty with 8…c6 followed by a bishop sacrifice later in the game, culminating in a stylish finish. #FIDECandidates
�� Michal Walusza pic.twitter.com/9zSmaP1cyF
– International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) April 5, 2024
There are five Indians playing the 2024 Candidates, which is a winner-takes-it-all tournament between the top 8 players in the world to decide who will compete in the World Championship match to challenge the reigning world champion.
Friday was indeed a thrilling day of high-quality chess at the Candidates with the open’s section seeing four decisive wins and the women’s matches had two wins. All the opening round matches in the open section were draws while only Tan Zhongyi won in the women’s section.
There other two decisive matches on Day 2 saw last edition’s champion Ian Nepomniachtchi beating Alireza Firouzja in whites while another favourite Fabiano Caruana won a full point after defeating Nijat Abasov.
According to FIDE, Nepomniachtchi’s match was also a thriller marked by unusual positions. In the end, Nepomniachtchi banked on all his experience to clinch a point.
Aleksandra Goryachkina, another top contender in the women’s tournament, also scored a decisive win with whites, beating Anna Muzychuk.
It’s still early stages in the both the tournaments with 12 more rounds to go, but already the Candidates have produced some fascinating results showing just why this tournament is considered the toughest in chess.
Vidit and Gukesh have started well and they will look to maintain their momentum in the upcoming matches. The third day will see a fourth Indian clash, this one between Vidit and Praggnanandhaa while Gukesh will play Nepomniachtchi. In the Women’s Candidates, Humpy will take on leader Tan while Vaishali plays Salimova.
Standings after Round 2:
FIDE Candidates Tournament:
1-4. Caruana, Gukesh, Nepomniachtchi, Vidit – 1.5 5-8. Abasov, Firouzja, Nakamura, Praggnanandhaa – 0.5
FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament:
1. Tan Zhongyi – 2 2. Goryachkina – 1.5 3-5. Koneru, Salimova, Lagno – 1 6-8. Muzychuk, Lei, Vaishali R – 0.5
Round 3 pairings
FIDE Candidates Tournament: Abasov – Nakamura Firouzja – Caruana Gukesh D – Nepomniachtchi Vidit – Praggnanandhaa R
FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament: Anna Muzychuk – Lagno Lei – Goryachkina Vaishali R – Salimova Koneru – Tan
Schedule
OPEN CATEGORY
WOMEN’S CATEGORY
