17-year-outdated D Gukesh secured a big important acquire in excess of Nijat Abasov that aided him go level on points with leader Ian Nepomniachtchi, who drew in opposition to R Praggnanandhaa in round 12 of the FIDE Candidates 2024 at the Fantastic Hall of Toronto on Thursday.
Gukesh will be the youngest Challenger for the entire world championship ever if he wins this year’s Candidates.
He confirmed incredible composure in opposition to Abasov and played a smooth sport, slowly outplaying his opponent with the black items and not enabling counterplay for his opponent.
“I assumed it was a very excellent activity,” mentioned Gukesh after beating Abasov. “I felt like I was outplaying but he even now experienced some drawing prospects in the endgame,” he included.
🇮🇳 Gukesh D (2743) defeats 🇦🇿 Nijat Abasov (2632) we have a 3-way tie for 1st amongst Ian Nepomniachtchi, 🇺🇸 Hikaru Nakamura and 🇮🇳 Gukesh D with two rounds to go.
Round 12 #FIDECandidates
📷 Michal Walusza pic.twitter.com/y4QLy3Aj6u
— Global Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) April 18, 2024
Likely into spherical 12 as the sole chief, Nepomniachtchi was held to a draw by Praggnanandhaa who performed a stable activity and did not enable the defending champion out of his sight.
Vidit Gujrathi, having said that, missing towards Fabiano Caruana. Caruana did let his benefit slip a handful of instances. But then he progressively restored his lead and lastly transformed the sport into a victory.
Right after round 12, it is a a few-way tie at the top with Gukesh, Nakamura, and Nepomniachtchi getting 7.5 points each and Caruana trails the top pack by fifty percent a place.
Two a lot more rounds are left in the Candidates, and it seems like it will just take all the game titles to decide the champion in the Open up section.
Open up Candidates standings just after spherical 12
Impression courtesy: FIDE
Over on the women’s aspect, Koneru Humpy performed a attract with Aleksandra Goryachkina whilst she did, at just one position, held a outstanding position.
Praggnanandhaa’s sister Vaishali, on the other hand, managed to earn her tie towards Anna Muzychuk with the black items, building it the only decisive final result in the women’s tournament today.
Just after round 12, Tan Zhongyi is on prime with 8 points, closely followed by Lei Tingjie with 7.5. Goryachkina, Koneru, and Lagno are tied in third spot with 6 details each individual.
Women’s Candidates standings right after round 12.
Impression courtesy: FIDE
The FIDE Candidates Tournament goes on to the last rest day on Friday right before the two supreme rounds. The 13th spherical of the party will begin on April 20.