Gukesh shares the lead with Nepo and Nakamura
The Indian gets the better of Abasov in 57 moves; Praggnanandhaa holds the Russian, while the American puts it past Firouzja; Vaishali registers her third straight victory
D. Gukesh scored a much-needed win against Azerbaijan’s Nijat Abasov in the 12th round of the Candidates chess tournament at Toronto on Thursday. The win helped him move into the joint lead with just two rounds remaining.
He is sharing the lead with Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi, the winner of the last two editions of the tournament, and the second-seeded American Hikaru Nakamura. They have 7.5 points each.
Third win
Like Gukesh, Nakamura also recorded a crucial victory against Alireza Firouzja of France. This was, in fact, his third win in as many games.
Nepomniachtchi, the sole overnight leader, was held to a draw by R. Praggnanandhaa. Top seed Fabiano Caruana is also in the race for the title after his win against Vidit Gujrathi. The American has seven points, just half-a-point behind the three leaders.
In the women’s event, China’s Tan Zhongyi maintained her sole lead position, after drawing with Bulgaria’s Nurgyul Salimova. She has eight points.
Her compatriot Lei Tingjie, who drew with Russian Kateryna Lagno, is second with 7.5 points. Three players — Koneru Humpy, Aleksandra Goryachkina and Lagno — are on six points.
The day also saw R. Vaishali beating Ukraine’s Anna Muzychuk. It was the third successive win for Praggnanandhaa’s elder sister, after going through a terrible run in the tournament’s rst half.
Gukesh employed Nimzo-Indian Defence against Abasov and won in 57 moves, on account of a passed pawn.
Good play
“I thought it was a pretty good game,” he said after posting what was his second win in the tournament against Abasov.
“I felt like I was outplaying him but he still had some drawing chances in the end-game.”
The tournament resumes on Saturday after a day’s rest.
The results (12th round): Open: Ian Nepomniachtchi (FIDE) 7.5 drew R. Praggnanandhaa 6; Nijat Abasov (Aze) 3 lost to D. Gukesh 7.5; Hikaru Nakamura (USA) 7.5 bt Alireza Firouzja (Fra) 4.5; Fabiano Caruana (USA) 7 bt Vidit Gujrathi 5.
Women: Nurgyul Salimova (Bul) 4.5 drew Tan Zhongyi (Chn) 8; Kateryna Lagno (FIDE) 6 drew Lei Tingjie (Chn) 7.5; Aleksandra Goryachkina (FIDE) 6 drew Koneru Humpy 6; Anna Muzychuk (Ukkr) 4.5 lost to R. Vaishali 5.5.