Every Chess-playing country is talking about Indian Chess, as 4 players debut in World Candidates 2024. GM D Gukesh, GM R Praggnanandhaa, GM Vidit Gujarathi and GM Elect R Vaishali Debuted at World Candidates 2024. After legendary Visvanathan Anand and GM Koneru Humpy these are the 4 players to debut for India at the Candidates 2024.
GM D Gukesh and GM Ian Nepomniachtchi in lead at Candidates 2024
Debutants so far has impressed the Chess fraternity by their performances. It all started with GM Vidit Gujarathi crushing World no 3 GM Hikaru Nakamura in 29 moves in round 2. Meanwhile, GM R Praggnandha and his sister GM Elect R Vaishali have impressed with their overall performance.
GM D Gukesh has displayed exceptional skills and he is the overnight leader along with GM Ian Nepomniachtchi scoring 3.5 points out of 5. GM D Gukesh scored his wins against GM Abasov Nijat and GM R Praggnanandhaa where he drew with World no 2 Fabiano Caurana and the previous World Championship Challenger GM Ian Nepomniachtchi.
When GM Vidit Gujarathi defeated the World no 3 and one of the favorites GM Hikaru Nakamura it looked like he has a solid edge to progess in the event but classic GM R Praggnanandhaa stopped him in the next round and again he lost to World no 7 GM Ian Nepomniachtchi.
GM Elect R Vaishali has been really impressive and shown tremendous skills to be on the 4th position Scoring 2.5 points. She scored her first win against GM Nurgyul Salimova. While as the experienced GM Koneru Humpy started her campaign on a sound note.
Former World Champion and World no 1 GM Magnus Carlsen has played only 1 candidates tournament which he won and became the world champion. And we are seeing GM D Gukesh is in lead with the tournament favorite GM Ian Nepomniachtchi can he Vidit or Pragg win this candidates to challenge the world champion GM Ding Liren from China .
Results after Round 5
Open:
1. Gukesh, Nepomniachtchi – 3.5
3. Caruana – 3
4-5. Praggnanandhaa, Nakamura – 2.5
6. Vidit – 2
7-8. Abasov, Firouzja – 1.5
Women’s:
1. Tan Zhongyi – 3.5
2. Goryachkina – 3
3-5. Salimova, Lagno, Vaishali – 2.5
6-8. A. Muzychuk, Lei, Koneru – 2
Round 6 pairings:
Open:
Gukesh – Nakamura
Vidit – Firouzja
Praggnanandhaa – Abasov
Nepomniachtchi – Caruana
Women’s:
Vaishali – Lagno
Koneru – Lei
Tan – A. Muzychuk
Salimova – Goryachkina
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