A file photo of D. Gukesh
| Photo Credit: PTI
Teenaged Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh can have his activity reduce out towards Firouza Alireza of France within the penultimate spherical of the Candidates’ chess event, on what promises to be a photo-finish right here.
Gukesh, with his final white sport, will enhance his probabilities tremendously within the event if he can get previous Alireza, who has clearly been struggling.
With 7.5 factors in his bag, Gukesh shares the lead with Hikaru Nakamura of the United States and Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia.
Just two rounds are remaining within the greatest occasion of the yr.
The most essential clash of the penultimate spherical will be between Nepomniachtchi and Nakamura. The latter has been displaying high kind having received three in a row whereas Nepomniachtchi is the one participant within the event who has remained undefeated after 12 gruelling video games.
Apart from these three, Fabiano Caruana is the one participant who has a probability to win the occasion.
With seven factors, to date, the American can have to sort out a powerful opposition in R Praggnanandhaa of India and at last Nepomniachtchi within the final spherical.
Even Gukesh has a powerful opponent to deal with in Nakamura within the remaining spherical and far will rely on how he does towards the world quantity three.
Praggnanandhaa had proven indicators of a podium finish mid-way by the event however couldn’t fairly find yourself the place he wished to.
However, the Indian has displayed nice promise and it is just a matter of time earlier than he can be within the high 5 of the world rating or much more. Currently Praggnanandhaa has six factors.
Another Indian Vidit Gujrathi had a promising begin and his two victories towards Nakamura within the event stand out as his greatest efforts.
Nerves, nevertheless, performed some half alongside with time strain on sure events and the Indian can have to wait for one more probability.
It has been a powerful name for Alireza, who has simply 4.5 factors whereas Abasov, on three factors, is on the backside of the desk.
In the ladies’s part, Zhongyi Tan is within the entrance on eight factors and her nearest contender is compatriot Tingjie Lei, who’s a half level behind.
The two leaders are adopted by Russian duo of Aleksandra Goryachkina and Kateryna Lagno alongside with India’s Koneru Humpy on six factors apiece.
R Vaishali on 5.5 factors is available in subsequent, a full level forward of Anna Muzychuk of Ukraine and Nurgyul Salimovaa of Bulgaria.
Pairings of spherical 13 (Indians except specified)
Vidit Gujrathi (5) vs Nijat Abasov (AZE, 3); D Gukesh (7.5) vs Firouza Alireza (FRA, 4.5); R Praggnanandhaa (6) vs Fabiano Caruana (USA, 7); Ian Nepomniachthi (FID, 7.5) vs Hikaru Nakamura (USA, 7.5).
Women: Zhongyi Tan (CHN, 8) vs Aleksandra Goryachkina (FID, 6); Koneru Humpy (6) vs Anna Muzychuk (UKR, 4.5); R Vaishali (5.5) vs Tingjie Lei (CHN, 7.5); Nurgyuaal Salimova (BUL, 4.5) vs Kateryna Lagno (FID, 6).
