2024 FIDE Candidates Toronto April 3-23

[Mick Norris]

Yes

[LawrenceCooper]

Two hours in, is anyone calling it yet? Looks level on all boards (including the one where the draw was agreed!).

Gukesh & Caruana are both better but still a long way to go. It may help both their causes that their opponents probably won't be in the mood to patiently defend worse positions.

Caruana win and Gukesh draw looks the most likely.

Fabi's 41st move loses his advantage if Nepo can find the engine line.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

It was way too early. How difficult will it be for Caruana to accept the chances he missed in this game? Gukesh must be relaxing a bit now, surely, as the ending currently on the board at move 106 should be dead drawn.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Agreed drawn. Gukesh vs Ding it is!

[Geoff Chandler]

Fantastic tournament. Gukesh is the youngest player to play in a world final.

Second place might be important. I gave it quick glance and reckon Nakamura comes second on Sonneborn-Berger which the rules state is the first cut off. (yes?)

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Some quotes from Gukesh in what will be one of many interviews afterwards:

https://sports.ndtv.com/chess/eager-to- ... ph-5494960

From the start, I knew this was going to be a high-pressure event. It is one of the most challenging events in chess. Throughout the event I handled the pressure well, remained in good spirits

[Mick Norris]

Great result for Gukesh

Will be an interesting match, he must have a decent chance

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Will be interesting to see what sort of teams Gukesh and Ding put together and how the world's media frame the clash (which as others have said, pits India against China). The centre of chess very much swinging to that part of the world.

I cannot have much sympathy for Nakamura (should have been more adventurous in final round) or Caruana (a player of his level should easily be able to find 64.Qe8+ followed by Qe2+ and Qxh2, after which the win is trivial) or Nepo (coming up short against Abasov).

[Paolo Casaschi]

Who is officially second in the Candidates ranking?

Just in case Ding follows Carlsen example and drops out for health reasons or otherwise…

[LawrenceCooper]

Who is officially second in the Candidates ranking?

Just in case Ding follows Carlsen example and drops out for health reasons or otherwise…

The FIDE Candidates website has Hikaru 2nd, Nepo 3rd and Fabi 4th. https://candidates2024.fide.com/crosstable

[Mick Norris]

Will be interesting to see what sort of teams Gukesh and Ding put together and how the world's media frame the clash (which as others have said, pits India against China). The centre of chess very much swinging to that part of the world.

Live ratings have Gukesh at 2763 and Ding at 2762

Will be interesting to see if Vishy helps Gukesh in the match; there are obviously lots of strong players in India

Ding had Rapport last time as his main second I think

[Matt Mackenzie]

Caruana's miss in the last round was remarkable, I hope it doesn't affect him too badly.

A shame that Abasov collapsed in the second half of the event, again he will hopefully take it in his stride.

[LawrenceCooper]

Caruana's miss in the last round was remarkable, I hope it doesn't affect him too badly.

A shame that Abasov collapsed in the second half of the event, again he will hopefully take it in his stride.

He started with four whites in first six games though and was generally drawing with white and losing with black. His first score with black was round 8 (Nepo) and first loss with white was round 12 (Gukesh).

[Mick Norris]

end of the Caruana - Nepo game

[NickFaulks]

How did I know there would be an accompaniment of sickmaking music?