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Candidates 2022 R10: Nakamura vanquishes Firouzja

by Shahid Ahmed - 30/06/2022

Hikaru Nakamura lived up to his prediction of beating Firouzja at the Candidates 2022. He might have said it nonchalantly, however, one cannot discount the fact that he won the FIDE Grand Prix too. Ding Liren and Jan-Krzysztof Duda were the other two victors of the round. The World no.2 defeated Rapport in his own game by creating imbalance and playing creatively. Caruana's ambitious approach against the FIDE World Cup 2021 winner, did not turn out the way he wanted. Duda's brave play earned him a full point convincingly. Nepomniachtchi now has a 1.5 point lead 7/10, over Caruana, Nakamura and Ding Liren at 5.5/10 each. Round 11 starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: David Llada/FIDE

Bounce backs and sharp chess

Both Jan-Krzysztof Duda and Hikaru Nakamura bounced back from there previous round loss and went on to win their respective tenth round games. It definitely speaks volumes about them as players. A tournament of the highest possible level in current times, Candidates is where you have no time to recover. Both of them used the rest days to their advantages, which certainly helped them. Radjabov and Nepomniachtchi continue their streak of no decisive result in their Classical encounters

Hikaru Nakamura bounced back with a win for the second time in this event | Photo: David Llada/FIDE

Rapport - Ding Liren: 0-1

Richard Rapport (HUN) sacrificed his king to weaken his opponent Ding Liren's (CHN) king lying at the middle of the board.

Position after 33.Nc4

The idea behind 33.Nc4 is bxc4 34.dxc4 followed by c5, Bxe5. However, Black found a precise remedy 34...Rc6! 35.Ba4 Kc7 36.Bxc6 Nxc6. Since White was the one who was attacking, Black was happy to exchange his rook for two minor pieces. Eventually White liquidated into a lost opposite color bishop endgame.

Richard Rapport suffered his third loss of the event | Photo: Steve Bonhage/FIDE

Duda - Caruana: 1-0

It is evident from the game that Fabiano Caruana (USA) was only playing for a win against Jan-Krzysztof Duda (POL).

Position after 19...h5

Computer says 19...h5 turns things completely in White's favor. Perhaps, it was part of Duda's preparation too. 20.g3 Qf6 21.Rad1 Rg7 22.Kh1 Rf8 23.dxe5 dxe5 24.h4 gxh4 25.gxh4 the knights have such a stronghold that Black is unable to make a breakthrough on the kingside despite it being completely open. Rest was just a matter of time and technique which Duda had no trouble converting into a win.

What a beautiful idea by Duda against Caruana | Video: ChessBase India

Jan-Krzysztof Duda has the ability to beat any player in any format on any given day | Photo: Steve Bonhage/FIDE

Ian Nepomniachtchi - Teimour Radjabvo (AZE): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Steve Bonhage/FIDE

Radjabov's good friend Anish Giri tweeted his prediction before the game

Nakamura - Firouzja: 1-0

Hikaru Nakamura (USA) got a substantial advantage in the middlegame against Alireza Firouzja (FRA). Then the Speed King decided to sacrifice an exchange to accentuate his advantage.

Position after 23.Nxd4

There is no good capture for Black after 23.Nxd4. He opted for the less damaging one 23...Qxd5 24.Nf5 Qe4 25.Qh5. It is evident that White has a significant decisive advantage. He converted it in another seven moves.

Dear YouTube, I Destroyed Firouzja | Video: GMHikaru
You don't mess with Hikaru | Video: ChessBase India

Back in November 2021, Nakamura predicted that he will win Grand Prix and beat Firouzja at the Candidates, that is exactly what he did. Magnus Carlsen is trying to boost Firouzja before he faces Nepomniachtchi in Round 11

Hikaru Nakamura can deliver in any situation | Photo: Steve Bonhage/FIDE

FIDE Women's World Cup 2021 winner, GM Alexandra Kosteniuk made the ceremonial first move on Rapport-Ding Liren's board | Photo: David Llada/FIDE
FIDE Candidates Tournament 2022 Round 10 Live Commentary by IM Sagar Shah, Amruta Mokal and Md. Reyan | Video: ChessBase India

Replay Round 10 games

Round 10 results

Bo.No.RtgNameResultNameRtgNo.
182764GMRapport Richard0 - 1GMDing Liren28062
212750GMDuda Jan-Krzysztof1 - 0GMCaruana Fabiano27833
372766GMNepomniachtchi Ian½ - ½GMRadjabov Teimour27534
462760GMNakamura Hikaru1 - 0GMFirouzja Alireza27935

Round 11 pairings

Bo.No.RtgNameResultNameRtgNo.
162760GMNakamura HikaruGMRapport Richard27648
252793GMFirouzja AlirezaGMNepomniachtchi Ian27667
342753GMRadjabov TeimourGMDuda Jan-Krzysztof27501
432783GMCaruana FabianoGMDing Liren28062

Details

Standings after Round 10

Rk.SNoNameFEDRtgPts. TB1  TB2  TB3 
17GMNepomniachtchi IanFID27667,033,0040,0
23GMCaruana FabianoUSA27835,527,7530,0
36GMNakamura HikaruUSA27605,526,2530,0
42GMDing LirenCHN28065,525,2520,0
54GMRadjabov TeimourAZE27534,523,2510,0
61GMDuda Jan-KrzysztofPOL27504,020,0010,0
78GMRapport RichardHUN27644,018,5010,0
85GMFirouzja AlirezaFRA27934,018,0010,0

Details

Links

Official site

Tournament Regulations


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