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On Thursday, Nepomniachtchi performed his most jaw-dropping trick in Toronto yet, managing to survive from two losing positions before defeating Vidit Gujrathi after a marathon battle that lasted over five hours. ( Michal Walusza via FIDE)
Candidates Chess 2024: How Vidit Gujrathi let Ian Nepomniachtchi off the hook
Think of Ian Nepomniachtchi not as a grandmaster, but as an escape artist. Time and again at the Candidates tournament in Toronto, he’s found himself in losing positions, like he did against Praggnanandhaa in Round 5 and against Alireza Firouzja in Round 9. Time and again, he’s escaped unscathed. On Thursday, Nepomniachtchi performed his most jaw-dropping trick in Toronto yet, managing to survive from two losing positions before defeating Vidit Gujrathi after a marathon battle that lasted over five hours.
The victory sent Nepomniachtchi into sole lead in the open section of the Candidates chess tournament with seven points. Nepomniachtchi has Gukesh, the 17-year-old, first-timer from India, and 36-year-old Hikaru Nakamura, a two-time Candidates contender, hot on his heels.
Both have half a point less than Nepomniachtchi with just three more rounds left. Gukesh played out a draw against World No.2 Fabiano Caruana with white pieces while the third Indian in the open competition, Praggnanandhaa, lost to World No.3 Nakamura, a result that sees him 1.5 points off the pace. (READ MORE)
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