FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024: Vidit Gujrathi beats Hiraku Nakamura, Gukesh D egdes Praggnanandhaa in Round 2

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Round two of the ongoing FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024 witnessed some stunning performances where Indian Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi defeated Hikaru Nakamura while D Gukesh got the better of compatriot R Praggnanandhaa.

One of the standout performances of the day was from Vidit (India, 2747), whose stunning victory against higher-ranked Nakamura (USA, 2789) showcased his strategic prowess and tactical ingenuity.

FIDE Candidates Tournament Round 2 Key Results

Employing a clever novelty in the Berlin Defence, Vidit sacrificed a bishop on h3, seizing the initiative and eventually converting it into a well-deserved win. The post-game jubilation was evident as Vidit hailed this triumph as one of the highlights of his career.

Another big highlight from round two was the captivating matchup between two rising stars from India, Gukesh (India, 2747) and Praggnanandhaa (India, 2747). Gukesh emerged victorious in a game that demanded precision and resilience. Gukesh's adept defensive skills thwarted Praggnanandhaa's initiative, allowing him to capitalise on his material advantage and secure the win.

Meanwhile, tournament favourite Fabiano Caruana (USA, 2804) displayed his class with a confident victory over Nijat Abasov (Azerbaijan, 2632). Despite a fiercely contested battle, Caruana's astute calculation and strategic manoeuvring left his opponent with few counterplay options, ultimately leading to a decisive result.

The showdown between Ian Nepomniachtchi (Russia, 2758) and Alireza Firouzja (France, 2760) provided fireworks on the board, with Nepomniachtchi's audacious king march defying Black's desperate onslaught. While Firouzja deviated from established lines, Nepomniachtchi's resourcefulness and confidence ensured he remained in the driver's seat throughout the game, pressing for victory.

FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament Round 2 Result

In the FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament, Tan Zhongyi (China, 2521) continued her impressive form with a second consecutive win, outplaying India's Vaishali R (India, 2481) with a well-timed knight sacrifice. With her astute positional understanding and precise execution, Tan extended her lead in the standings.

Aleksandra Goryachkina (Russia, 2553) also showcased her prowess, securing a crucial victory against Anna Muzychuk (Ukraine, 2520). Goryachkina's superior endgame technique proved decisive in a complex battle arising from the Slav Defence, further solidifying her position as a top contender in the women's event.

Meanwhile, the games between Kateryna Lagno (Russia, 2542) and Koneru Humpy (India, 2546), as well as Nurgyul Salimova (Bulgaria, 2426) and Lei Tingjie (China, 2550), were drawn.

As the tournament progresses, the competition promises to intensify further, with players vying for supremacy in every encounter. With Round 3 set to commence, anticipation is high as the contenders brace themselves for yet another round of thrilling battles on the chessboard.

FIDE Candidates 2024 Current Standings after Round 2:

Open: 1-4. Caruana, Gukesh, Nepomniachtchi, Vidit - 1.5; 5-8. Abasov, Firouzja, Nakamura, Praggnanandhaa - 0.5

Women: 1. Tan Zhongyi - 2; 2. Goryachkina - 1.5; 3-5. Koneru, Salimova, Lagno - 1; Muzychuk, Lei, Vaishali R - 0.5

Round 3 pairings:

Open

Abasov - Nakamura
Firouzja - Caruana
Gukesh D - Nepomniachtchi
Vidit - Praggnanandhaa R

Women

Anna Muzychuk - Lagno
Lei - Goryachkina
Vaishali R - Salimova
Koneru - Tan