FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024: Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, Vidit impressive in round 6

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Gukesh D, Praggnanandhaa R and Vidit Gujrathi registered their wins in round six of the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024 and continued their good show in the competition in Toronto.

Praggnanandhaa showcased his tactical prowess in a thrilling encounter against Nijat Abasov, securing a crucial victory and climbing to joint third place in the standings. Despite facing complex positions, Praggnanandhaa's calculated moves underscored his resilience and determination.

During the press conference, Praggnanandhaa humorously remarked that despite his attempts to play solidly, he often finds himself entangled in complex, double-edged positions. His match against Abasov was no exception, characterised by intricate variations that didn't materialize on the board.

Nevertheless, Praggnanandhaa's precise calculations outmatched his opponent, resulting in a well-deserved victory that propelled him to joint third place in the standings.

Similarly, Vidit Santosh Gujrathi impressed spectators with his dynamic playstyle, securing a convincing win against Alireza Firouzja. Vidit's strategic decisions and precise calculations allowed him to capitalize on his opponent's errors, reaffirming his status as a crowd favourite in the tournament.

When asked to justify Firouzja's quick opening play that led to a difficult position, Vidit said: "Probably it's a bit of tilt. He lost yesterday, he's on -3, and the tournament is not going his way. It happens; sometimes you become a bit emotional when you're tilted."

Gukesh, one of the two joint tournament leaders, managed to get a completely new position on move seven against Hikaru Nakamura in the Hyperaccelerated Dragon variant of the Sicilian Defence. The game took a quiet path, and a draw was a logical result.

"I thought I had a slight pull in the opening, but [his] 14...Nc8 idea was very strong. I could not really see anything for White after that," commented Gukesh after the game.

Ian Nepomniachtchi and Fabiano Caruana engaged in a subdued Four Knights Game, adhering to a well-established line for the initial ten moves. Despite Nepomniachtchi, playing with the White pieces, anticipating a Sicilian Defence from Caruana due to their previous encounters in the tournament, the game unfolded differently.

Nepomniachtchi introduced a novel move, 16. Re1, yet the game quickly transitioned into an endgame with drawish tendencies. While Nepomniachtchi, one of the tournament's leaders, attempted to apply pressure with the White pieces and declined a move repetition on move 32, Caruana adeptly navigated the defensive challenges. Eventually, Caruana's adept play ensured a balanced outcome, leading to a draw and the splitting of points between the players.

In the FIDE Women's Candidates, Tan Zhongyi maintained her lead with an impressive performance against Anna Muzychuk. Despite a few inaccuracies, Tan's aggressive play secured her third win in the tournament.

Although Muzychuk had chances to equalize, Tan's relentless pressure ultimately forced her opponent's resignation. With 4.5 points out of 6, Tan Zhongyi stands at the top of the leaderboard, demonstrating her prowess on the chessboard.

Meanwhile, Aleksandra Goryachkina continues to assert her dominance in the Women's Candidates, displaying confidence and precision in her victory against Nurgyul Salimova. Goryachkina's strategic play left her opponent little room for counterplay, further solidifying her position in the tournament.