Candidates 2024 R7: Praggnanandhaa's French Defence holds well against the World no.2 Fabiano Caruana

by Shahid Ahmed - 12/04/2024

D Gukesh suffered his first loss of the event in the seventh round of FIDE Candidates 2024. He made a well timed knight sacrifice to complicate things for his opponent - Alireza Firouzja (FRA). However, in time trouble, the World no.6 prevailed after Gukesh blundered. R Praggnanandhaa employed French Defence against the World no.2 - Fabiano Caruana (USA). It was enough for him to share the point. Vidit Gujrathi's all attempts to score a full point was denied by Nijat Abasov (AZE). Hikaru Nakamura (USA) and Ian Nepomniachtchi had an intriguing draw. Hikaru ended up having a rook, knight and undeveloped bishop against Nepo's queen. He was forced to draw the game by perpetual checks. Today is a rest day. Round 8 starts tomorrow Saturday at 2:30 p.m. local time, 12 a.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Michal Walusza

Nepomniachtchi emerges sole leader

One thing is for sure, R Praggnanandhaa has prepared a lot of openings and we obviously have not seen the end of his surprises. D Gukesh losing his game meant Ian Nepomniachtchi has become the sole leader 4.5/7. He is closely followed by Fabiano Caruana (USA), R Praggnanandhaa and D Gukesh at 4/7 each.

R Praggnanandhaa held World no.2 Fabiano Caruana (USA) to a draw

Caruana - Praggnanandhaa: 0.5-0.5

Fabiano Caruana (USA, 2803) and R Praggnanandhaa (2747) had some fantastic battles at the FIDE World Cup 2023 last year, before Caruana getting eliminated by Praggnanandhaa. This time, the teenager decided to surprise the World no.2 by deploying French Defence. He felt that one point he should have played g5 but he was not sure if it would have given him anything.

Position after 27.Rdb1

I think the above position is what Praggnanandhaa was talking about when he felt he could have opted for 27...g5. I can be wrong also as it was a post-game interview without a 2D board. Neither side by any mistake which means the game took its natural course and ended in a draw.

Praggnanandhaa's French Love! World no.2 Caruana vs Pragg, Commentary by IM Sagar Shah | Video: ChessBase India

Praggnanandhaa: "You have to give your best and keep fighting" | Video: FIDE

GM Kateryna Lagno glances at Fabiano Caruana and R Praggnanandhaa's game

Firouzja - Gukesh: 1-0

Alireza Firouzja (FRA, 2760) and D Gukesh (2743) had various results in their previous encounter as they have a contrasting style. Firouzja was getting low on time, Gukesh decided to complicate things by making an interesting knight sacrifice which is a good practical decision.

Position after 27...Nxf2!?

28.Kxf2 Rxd5 29.Re4 Rad8 30.Be3 Bc5 Firouzja thought that he was lost here, then he found 31.Qb3 Qxb3 32.Nxb3 Bxe3+ 33.Rxe3 Black has three pawns for the sacrificed knight a5 34.Rc7 a4 35.Nc5 Ra8 36.Nd7

Position after 36.Nd7

Gukesh blundered in time trouble 36...Kh7?? Instead, 36...b5 or Rd2+ would have continued the game.

Sometimes Chess is so painful | Video: ChessBase India

The most emotionally charged game of Candidates 2024 - Firouzja vs Gukesh, Commentary by IM Sagar Shah | Video: ChessBase India

Post-game Press Conference with Alireza Firouzja and D Gukesh | Video: FIDE

A tough loss for Gukesh

Post-game Press Conference with Hikaru Nakamura and Ian Nepomniachtchi | Video: FIDE

Hikaru Nakamura (USA) had an intriguing draw against Ian Nepomniachtchi

Was Vidit able to get his revenge? Nijat Abasov vs Vidit Gujrathi, Commentary by IM Sagar Shah | Video: ChessBase India

This is what makes Vidit Gujrathi special | Video: ChessBase India

Vidit Gujrathi: "Of course, I have to root for myself; that's a no-brainer." | Video: FIDE

Nijat Abasov (AZE) thwarted all potential attempts by Vidit Gujrathi

R Praggnanandhaa with his fans

R Praggnanandhaa signs an autograph

Time control

The time control for each game is 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move 41.

Prizes

The total prize fund is €500000. The top three prizes are €48000, €36000 and €24000. All prize money shall be divided equally among the players with the equal score after 14 rounds regardless tie-break results. In addition, each player gets €3500 euros for every half point scored.

Replay Round 7 live stream

FIDE Candidates 2024 Round 7 Live Commentary by Amruta Mokal and IM Sagar Shah | Video: ChessBase India

Replay Round 7 games

Round 7 results

Round 7 results | Photo: FIDE

Details

Standings after Round 7

Standings after Round 7 | Photo: FIDE

Details

Round 8 pairings

Bo.	No.	Rtg		Name		Name	Rtg	No.
1	6	2747	GM	Praggnanandhaa, R	GM	Firouzja, Alireza	2760	3
2	5	2727	GM	Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi	GM	Gukesh, D	2743	4
3	8	2789	GM	Nakamura, Hikaru	GM	Caruana, Fabiano	2803	1
4	7	2758	GM	Nepomniachtchi, Ian	GM	Abasov, Nijat	2632	2