After a real obstacle course in qualifying, there are only eight left, among the best grandmasters of the 64 boxes, to compete in the famous Candidates tournament in Toronto. Its winner will have the right to challenge the current world champion, the Chinese Ding Liren.
Aside from world number one Magnus Carlsen, who gave up the supreme title two years ago, the crème de la crème of the world elite met in Canada. In addition to the brilliant Russian Nepomniachtchi, already twice winner of the Candidates, we find two Americans, Fabiano Caruana (No. 2 in the Elo ranking) and the king of chess streaming Hikaru Nakamura. The gifted but erratic Alireza Firouzja represents France. The unexpected Azeri Nidjat Abassov is the little thumb of the tournament. But it is above all the powerful and young Indian armada, Gukesh (17 years old), Praggnanandhaa (18 years old) and Vidit (29 years old) which never fails to impress observers, as their progress has been rapid in recent months.
Indeed, many specialists saw them, despite their young age, playing outsiders but not yet leading roles in such a tough competition. It turns out that after nine rounds (out of 14), it is the youngest of the three, Dommaraju Gukesh, who is leading the way. He is tied for first in the tournament alongside the inevitable Nepo, who gives him his experience and, it must be said, his talent.
The tenth round which sees them meet for the second time (the players, going back and forth, play one game with white, another with black) therefore resembles a duel at the top. The first fight ended in a draw. But in this crucial 10th round, Nepomniachtchi will lead the white pieces, synonymous with a small advantage. Will he feel obliged to push his young rival to his limits? Or will he wait until he makes a mistake under pressure?… Given its importance, Le Figaro has decided to comment on it on Figaro Live on April 16 from 9 a.m.
Rankings for the 2024 Toronto Candidates Tournament after 9 rounds:
1 ex aequo – Gukesh et Nepomniachtchi, 5,5/9 points possible; 3 – Praggnanandhaa, 5/9; 4e à 6e – Vidit, Caruana, Nakamura, 4,5/9; 7 – Firouzja, 3,5/9; 8 – Abasov, 3/9
Vidit – Gukesh, Toronto Candidates 8th round, defense of the two Cavaliers
Gukesh’s strategy is remarkable. He will prevent any form of counterplay to White before invading the opposite side via column a. 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 a6 5.0–0 h6 6.a4 Bc5 7.Be3 d6 8.Nbd2 0–0 9.c3 Re8 10.b4 Bxe3 11.fxe3 Be6 12.b5 Nb8 13.Bxe6 Rxe6 14.Qc2 Nbd7 15.d4 Qe8! 16.Rae1 axb5 17.axb5 Ra5 18.c4 Da8! 19.h3 Re8 20.Rh2 b6 21.Rf2 Ra2 22.Qd3 Ta3 23.Qb1 Da4 24.Ch4 Ra8 25.Nf5 Rf8 26.Ref1 Ta1 27.Qd3 Qb4 28.Rxa1 Rxa1 29.c5 bxc5 30.Nc4 Qe1 31. Re2 Qg1! the beginning of the end… 32.Kg3 Ch5 33.Rh4 Ndf6 34.Nxh6 Qh2 35.Nf5 Rf1 36.g4 Rxf5 37.exf5, if 37.Rxh2 g5 mate, 37…Qg3 38.Kg5 Ch7!, White is mate on the next move, 0-1.