Candidates Tournament: Surprises and Disappointments at the Halfway Mark
The Candidates tournament, a grueling chess competition where only the winner qualifies for a shot at the World Championship, has reached its halfway point. With seven rounds played and seven more to go, the tournament has witnessed a mix of surprises, disappointments, and memorable moments.
Overperformers:
Two Indian teenagers, Gukesh D and Praggnanandhaa R, have defied expectations with their impressive performances. Gukesh remained undefeated until Round 7, while Praggnanandhaa has showcased his exceptional opening preparation and aggressive play. Both are now in joint second place, just half a point behind leader Ian Nepomniachtchi.
Underperformers:
Hikaru Nakamura, the world No. 3, and Alireza Firouzja, the crown prince-in-waiting, have struggled to live up to their billing. Nakamura has managed only one win in seven rounds, while Firouzja has suffered three losses. Firouzja’s dismal performance has been attributed to his poor time management and a series of online blitz games he played before his Round 7 match.
Move that Shook:
Praggnanandhaa’s 4…f5 against Vidit Gujrathi in Round 3 was a bold and unexpected move that caught the chess world by surprise. The Delayed Shliemann in the Ruy Lopez is a hyper-aggressive line with a somewhat dubious reputation, but Praggnanandhaa played it with confidence and precision.
Time Trouble:
The time control at the Candidates has been a source of controversy. With 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, players have often found themselves in time trouble, leading to rushed decisions and costly mistakes. Gukesh, in particular, has suffered from this time pressure, losing a game to Firouzja in a mad time scramble.
Post-Game Press Conferences:
Post-game press conferences have provided moments of levity and intrigue. Nepomniachtchi was asked about the contents of his thermos, revealing that it contained tea purchased from a gift shop in Canada. Firouzja, after his first win, admitted that he needed to play risky chess and win all his remaining games to have a chance of qualifying.
Round 7 Results:
* Open: Nakamura drew with Nepomniachtchi, Caruana drew with Praggnanandhaa, Abasov drew with Gujrathi, Firouzja defeated Gukesh
* Women: Lagno drew with Salimova, Goryachkina drew with Tan, Muzychuk drew with Humpy, Lei defeated Vaishali
Round 8 Pairings:
* Open: Nakamura vs. Caruana, Nepomniachtchi vs. Abasov, Praggnanandhaa vs. Firouzja, Gujrathi vs. Gukesh
* Women: Lagno vs. Goryachkina, Salimova vs. Muzychuk, Tan vs. Lei, Humpy vs. Vaishali
