Candidates 2022 R4: Nepomniachtchi crushes Firouzja
Ian Nepomniachtchi is playing Candidates 2022 like a man on a mission. His objective is clear, become the Challenger for the World Championship again. He scored an emphatic victory over World no.3, Alireza Firouzja. The teenager did not respond well to his opponent's rapid attack on his kingside. He had to pay a heavy price for it. Caruana drew his third consecutive game to remain just a half point behind the leader at 2.5/4. Jan-Krzysztof Duda, Richard Rapport and Hikaru Nakamura are at 2/4 each. How will Firouzja react to his loss when he faces Duda in the next round? Round 5 starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Steve Bonhage/FIDE
Three draws and a check for Nakamura
Nepomniachtchi - Firouzja: 1-0
Ian Nepomniachtchi (2766) made his intention very clear with a rapid launch of an attack against Alireza Firouzja's (FRA, 2793) kingside.
The quick onslaught 18.f6 on Black's kingside certainly rattled the world no.3. 18...gxf6 19.gxf6 Ndxf6 20.Ng3 Bxf1 21.Rhxf1 a3 22.b3 Kh8 it may seem like both kings are vulnerable, the reality of the position is, only one of them is. The game continued 23.exd5 Nd6? 24.Qxb4. Black should have played 23...Qc7 to keep things balanced. Things fell apart in a hurry for Black and White went on to win the game.
Nakamura tweeted about getting searched by FIDE
The Speed King got his wallet scanned before the game
Anish Giri chimed in on the situation
Replay Round 4 games
Round 4 results
| Bo. | No. | Rtg | Name | Result | Name | Rtg | No. | ||
| 1 | 8 | 2764 | GM | Rapport Richard | ½ - ½ | GM | Nakamura Hikaru | 2760 | 6 |
| 2 | 7 | 2766 | GM | Nepomniachtchi Ian | 1 - 0 | GM | Firouzja Alireza | 2793 | 5 |
| 3 | 1 | 2750 | GM | Duda Jan-Krzysztof | ½ - ½ | GM | Radjabov Teimour | 2753 | 4 |
| 4 | 2 | 2806 | GM | Ding Liren | ½ - ½ | GM | Caruana Fabiano | 2783 | 3 |
Round 5 pairings
| Bo. | No. | Rtg | Name | Result | Name | Rtg | No. | ||
| 1 | 3 | 2783 | GM | Caruana Fabiano | GM | Rapport Richard | 2764 | 8 | |
| 2 | 4 | 2753 | GM | Radjabov Teimour | GM | Ding Liren | 2806 | 2 | |
| 3 | 5 | 2793 | GM | Firouzja Alireza | GM | Duda Jan-Krzysztof | 2750 | 1 | |
| 4 | 6 | 2760 | GM | Nakamura Hikaru | GM | Nepomniachtchi Ian | 2766 | 7 |
