2024 FIDE Candidates Toronto April 3-23

[LawrenceCooper]

That feels like a must win for Caruana but Abasov has shut down his white games somewhat

Nepo probably surprised to be in the lead despite not beating Abasov

Equal first now though.

[Jonathan Rogers]

Just a reminder that Nepo is 3-0 up against Firouzja in their candidates' games so far. Does it matter? We will soon know (or rather, we will be soon be in a position to speculate).

Is Caruana out of it? - well, when did he ever seem to be "in" it? Another disappointing candidates' for him.

Gukesh, though! Very much at the upper end of Carlsen's predicted range for him. Presumably Nepo plays him with White in round 10.

[LawrenceCooper]

Hikaru lost to Vidit which may be the only decisive game.

[Paul Cooksey]

Nepo-Gukesh tomorrow.

We have some social media drama:

shameful action by the chief arbiter Marghetis towards me during the game. Middle of the game in the most intense moment when i was walking during ian move, chief aribiter , came to me and told me to not walk anymore because my shoe is making noise on the wooden floor, He told me to not walk and bring new shoes for tomorrow but i have the formal shoe that is apporved and am wearing it for more than 1 year. this was a big distraction for me during the game and i completly lost my focus.I told one of the organiser this arbiter needs to be punished. Honestly all these unprofessional things are happening to me in almost every tournament and really its taking me to point of exucstion.

[Ian Thompson]

We have some social media drama:

Middle of the game in the most intense moment when i was walking during ian move, chief aribiter , came to me and told me to not walk anymore because my shoe is making noise on the wooden floor,

Poor choice of flooring by the organisers if they want complete silence. It reminds me of last year's Norway Chess when the arbiter jumped up to deal with a spectator whose phone bleeped once. However, said arbiter was by far the noisiest person in the room with her shoes clattering on the wooden floor every time she walked around.

[Jonathan Rogers]

What are the tie breaks? If preference is still given to those with the most decisive games, Vidit would be laughing, if he could make it.

[Graham Borrowdale]

I hope this does not become the only talking point. I wonder if Firouzja would have even mentioned it had he won the game.
Today’s game between Nepo and Gukesh is obviously key, but an opportunity for the chasing pack to make up ground should they draw.

[Graham Borrowdale]

What are the tie breaks? If preference is still given to those with the most decisive games, Vidit would be laughing, if he could make it.

I haven’t looked anywhere official, but Lichess’s blurb says there would be a tie break.

[Graham Borrowdale]

Sorry I meant a play off.

[NickFaulks]

Tiebreaks for the first place are addressed as follows:

If two players are tied, they will play two rapid chess games at 15 minutes plus 10 seconds per move. If a three- to six-way tie occurs, a single round-robin will be played. If seven or eight players are tied, a single round-robin will be played with a time limit of 10 minutes plus 5 seconds per move.
If any players are tied for first after the rapid chess games, they will play two blitz chess games at 3 minutes plus 2 seconds per move. In the case of more than two players being tied, a single round-robin will be played.
If any players are still tied for first after these blitz chess games, the remaining players will play a knock-out blitz tournament at the same time control. In each mini-match of the proposed knock-out tournament, the first player to win a game will win the mini-match.

[LawrenceCooper]

Nepo-Gukesh drawn so both remain on +2 jointly leading the open.

[LawrenceCooper]

Heading into the third rest day:

Gukesh & Nepo 6/10
Caruana, Nakamura & Pragg 5.5
Vidit 5
Firouzja 3.5
Abasov 3

[LawrenceCooper]

Alireza crushed Abasov in 24 moves.

[LawrenceCooper]

Gukesh-Caruana was a draw & Hikaru beats Pragg to join the leading group on +2.

[Paul Cooksey]

Is Caruana out of it? - well, when did he ever seem to be "in" it? Another disappointing candidates' for him.

I agreed with this when Jonathan wrote it. But at the time I thought someone would get +4/+5 as in previous events. Now I think +3, maybe even +2, could be enough for a playoff.

6 players still in it after round 11 is very surprising. But exciting too.