Chess, Candidates 2024: Vidit Gujrathi beats Alireza Firouzja; Praggnanandhaa defeats Nijat Abasov

Indian Grandmasters Vidit Gujrathi and Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu registered outright wins in their respective matches at the 2024 Candidates in Toronto, Canada early on Thursday.

While Gujrathi got the better of France’s Alireza Firouzja with the white pieces, Praggnanandhaa beat Nijat Abasov of Azerbaijian with the same colour.

The 29-year-old Gujrathi, who had to settle for a draw in the previous round after having a decisive advantage against world No 2 Fabiano Caruana, ensured that he landed the killer blow against the 20-year-old French Grandmaster in the sixth round.

“I was very upset last evening because I could have won against Fabi [Caruana], but what to do,” said Gujrathi after his win over Firouzja. “This game helps a bit in recovering.”

Gujrathi continued his unusual flashy play in the tournament, sacrificing a pawn right in the central e5 sqaure on the 14th move. Though Firouzja sensed danger and did not capture the poisoned pawn, things soon fell apart for him as Gujrathi kept finding good moves one after the other.

“To be honest I had not seen e5, but I felt there would be something,” said Gujrathi. “In the worst case I always had a draw.”

Though Gujrathi was down on the clock by more than an hour in the latter stages of the match,...

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