India’s Gukesh used a well-choreographed game to outwit compatriot Vidit Gujrati to reconnect with Russia’s Ian Niebo in the eighth round of the Chess Candidates Championship in Toronto Mnjaci is tied for the lead. On the day, R Praggnanandhaa drew a draw with France’s Firouza Alireza and Hikaru Nakamura established himself in an all-American showdown with Fabiano Caruana dominance and return to the highest honor list.

Overnight leader Nepomniach struggled in the early stages, allowing tailback Nijat Abbasov to settle for a comfortable draw in the other game of the eight-man double round-robin tournament.

With six rounds left, Gukesh and Nepomniachtchi scored 5 points each, followed by Nakamura and Pragnanandhaa with 4.5 points each.

Caruana now sits in fifth place with four points. Gujrathi is in second place with a score of 3.5, 3 points ahead of Alireza, while Abasov remains at the bottom with 2.5 points.

Gukesh’s task was canceled and he took a rare change and as early as the fourth move he surprised Gujrati. Gujrati fell into deep thought for a long time and eventually lost about twenty minutes.

In the next few moves, Gukesh effortlessly equalized despite Gujrati trying to make some headway on either flank.

In the middle game, Gukesh seized control of the only gap and used the car behind him to form an absolutely dominant breakout. Vidit resisted, but the pressure was relentless, especially since he was short on time.

By the time Gukesh moved into eighth position, the dice had been rolled, and it was a picturesque ending, with White’s king being taken away before checkmate became inevitable. The game consists of 38 moves.

Asked if he was surprised that he won as a black man, Gukesh said: “A clean game like this is rare at this level and in the opening he did some inaccurate things and his positioning It was unpleasant, I was in control and it was a good game. “There wasn’t a lot of counter-attacking.

Praggnanadhaa could not achieve much with his white pieces. Alireza adopted the Sicilian Taimanov, while the Indian adopted another variant that has not been tested regularly at the top level.

This time, however, Alireza found the game easier and equalized without too many problems, thanks to a timely breakthrough from the Queen’s side.

After the Queens were traded in the 30th step, the players from both sides quickly tied the game, and the result was no doubt in doubt. The drawing of lots was scheduled to take place in ten moves.

Hikaru Nakamura stole the show and was clearly the nemesis of world number two Caruana in key matches, especially when the former held white.

This trend started at the Norwegian Chess Championship, when Nakamura won in the final round over Caruana, and continued at FIDE’s Grand Swiss Championship, where he again won as a white man in the final round.

In the eighth round, Nakamura, who was just one point off the leaderboard, took a chance on the closed Ruy Lopez and was duly rewarded as Caruana came in There were some unnecessary troubles after the draw in the middle game.

Caruana also missed tactics in difficult situations due to lack of time. It’s all over in just 35 steps.

Abbasov was not at his best, but in this round, the Azerbaijan team secured the points in the first half with black pieces. Nepomnjačić switched to France’s switching defense, which resulted in a nearly even tie until the longest game of the day ended after 63 moves.

In the women’s category, Koneru Humpy defeated compatriot R Vaishali in the Queen pawn competition to jump to 3.5 points.

The course of the game changed a bit in this part, when Chinese player Tingjie Lei helped her Chinese teammate Zhongyi Tan finish the game. Russia’s Aleksandra Goryachkina and Lei tied with her for the lead with 5 points out of 8, ending the Zhongyi team’s dominance.

Russia’s Kateryna Lagno is 4.5 points behind the three leaders, while Humpy and Nurgyul Salimova are tied for fifth with 3.5 points each.

Anna Muzychuk of Ukraine ranked seventh with 3 points, and Vaishali ranked last with 2.5 points.

Vaishali may draw, but a high level of accuracy is required against Humpy. Humpy, known for her superb skills, took her chance and her pair of cars ultimately proved superior to Vaishali’s Bishop and Rook.

From an Indian perspective, the ninth round match will be a very important clash as Gukesh will take on Pragnananda in the men’s category while Gujrati will face the in-form Nakamura.

Round 8 results (Team India, unless specified): R Praggnanandhaa (4.5) defeated Firouza Alireza (Fra, 3); Vidit Gujrathi (3.5) lost to D Gukesh (5); Hikaru Nakamura (USA, 4.5) defeated Fra Bi Jarno Caruana (USA, 4); Ian Nepomniachtchi (Fid, 5) drew with Nijat Abasov (Aze, 2.5).

Women: Tan Zhongyi (5) lost to Lei Tingjie (China, 5); Koneru Humpy (3.5) defeated R Vaishali (2.5); Nurgyul Salimova (Bulls, 3.5) drew with Anna Muzychuk (Ukraine, 3); Lagno Kateryna (Fed, 4.5) tied with Aleksandra Goryachkina (Fed, 5).

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