Chess, Candidates 2024: D Gukesh becomes sole leader with win over Alireza Firouzja

Indian Grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju gained a slim half-point lead in the open section after the penultimate round of the FIDE Candidates 2024 concluded on Saturday in Toronto, Canada.

The 17-year-old prodigy, who was tied with two-time champion Ian Nepomniachtchi and world No 3 Hikaru Nakamura ahead of the 13th round, came out in front as the sole leader with 8.5 points after he beat Alireza Firouzja with white pieces. In joint-second place with eight points, Nepomniachtchi and Nakamura played out a draw for half a point while Fabiano Caruana beat Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu.

In the other Indian match in the open section, Vidit Gujrathi drew with Nijat Abasov to remain in sixth position with 5.5 points while Praggnanandhaa stayed in fifth place with six points.

Earlier in the tournament, Gukesh had the chance to take the lead for himself ahead of his match against Firouzja in the seventh round, but the Iranian-French Grandmaster prevented the Indian from taking the lead. This has also been Gukesh’s only loss of the tournament so far.

However, on Saturday, the 17-year-old managed to get better of Firouzja and exact revenge by taking the lead. This is the first time in six years and in three Candidates tournaments that a player...

Read more