Cashing in: Gujrathi, who had endured two straight losses, asserted himself in opposition to Firouzja.
| Photo Credit: FIDE
D. Gukesh maintained his joint lead after drawing with second Hikaru Nakamura of the United States in the sixth spherical of the Candidates match at Toronto.
He shared the highest spot with defending champion Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi, who drew with prime seed Fabiano Caruana of the United States. The leaders have been on 3.5 factors.
They have been adopted half-a-point behind by Caruana and R. Praggnanandhaa, who defeated Nijat Abasov of Azerbaijan.
It was a good day for the opposite Indian, Vidit Gujrathi, who beat Alireza Firouzja of France.
It was the second straight win for Gujrathi, as he confirmed character by bouncing again from two consecutive losses.
It was a disappointing day for India in the ladies’s match, although. Koneru Humpy went right down to China’s Lei Tingjie, whereas R. Vaishali misplaced to Russian Kateryna Lagno. All the 4 boards produced decisive outcomes, as Tan Zhongyi defeated Anna Muzychuk of Ukraine and Aleksandra Goryachkine of Russia beat Bulgarian Nurgyul Salimova.
Tan remained in the only real place with 4.5 factors, half-point greater than the second-placed Goryachkina. Humpy was on two factors and Vaishali on 2.5.
Strong transfer
Gukesh confronted Sicilian Defence from Nakamura they usually determined to separate the purpose after 40 strikes. “I thought I had a slight pull in the opening, but his 14th move was very strong,” mentioned Gukesh. “I could not really see anything for White after that.”
Gujrathi additionally got here throughout Sicilian Defence however was in a position to get the complete level from an erratic Firouzja.
After profitable in 40 strikes, Gujrathi mentioned of his rival, “He is on -3, and the tournament is not going his way. It happens; sometimes you become a bit emotional when you’re tilted.”
The outcomes (sixth spherical):
Open: Ian Nepomniachtchi (FIDE) 4 drew with Fabiano Caruana (USA) 3.5; D. Gukesh 4 drew with Hikaru Nakamura (USA) 3; R. Praggnanandhaa (3.5) bt Nijat Abasov (Aze) 1.5; Vidit Gujrathi 3 bt Alireza Firouzja (Fra) 1.5.
Women: Tan Zhongyi (Chn) 4.5 bt Anna Muzychuk (Ukr) 2; Nurgyul Salimova (Bul) 2.5 misplaced to Aleksandra Goryachkina (FIDE) 4; R. Vaishali 2.5 misplaced to Kateryna Lagno (FIDE) 3.5; Koneru Humpy 2 misplaced to Lei Tingjie (Chn) 3.
