Viswanathan Anand on official live commentary described it as a ‘tragedy’. It was a blunder from the most unlikely character at the end of a long game, which prevented India from making it their day and their first half in the open section, at the halfway stage of the Candidates chess competition.
D Gukesh suffered an anti-climactic loss under time pressure on Thursday, minutes before he was expected to head into the rest day with a share of the lead after seven rounds. The defeat against Alireza Firouzja of France doesn’t derail his campaign and keeps him just half a point behind leader Ian Nepomniachtchi. But Gukesh has to quickly get this ‘what could have been’ remorse out of his system.
Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa sharing the second spot with Fabiano Caruana on four points and Vidit Gujrathi is half a point behind is good going by the Indian contingent as a whole. Vidit has bounced back after two successive defeats. Pragg appears to be the best, in terms of preparation. Gukesh has been the most precise and solid, regardless of the late blemish.
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With all three players having black pieces, two against higher-rated opponents, draws would have been satisfactory results in the seventh round. While Pragg and Vidit got theirs, Gukesh tried to make the most of his advantageous position before being stunned by what Anand described as the ‘genius’ of Firouzja, the 20-year-old with roots in Iran.
The overnight joint leader never appeared to be in trouble against Firouzja, who was at the bottom after the sixth round with 1.5 points. Defence well set, Gukesh steadily kept making his position stronger. Even though there was no clear danger to the white king, blacks were better placed for a better part of the game. Firouzja didn’t go for a draw and made the right moves towards the end.
“It was a miracle for Alireza,” Anand’s description summed up the ultra-dramatic developments, which lasted a few seconds and left Gukesh sinking to the table, face buried in palms in disbelief. “It was a game he may not have won, but should definitely have not lost. Good for him that it’s a free day tomorrow,” said commentator Irina Krush. “It’ll be terrible today,” added Anand.
The late bitterness apart, it has been a strong first half for India. Four of the eight participants are rated higher and three are more experienced. That Gukesh, Pragg and Vidit are all in contention shows their maturity and ability to deliver against bigger names in a top tournament. The Gukesh setback notwithstanding, these three will begin the second half with reputation enhanced.
Humpy, Vaishali at the bottom
It has been a rough ride for Koneru Humpy and R Vaishali in the women’s section. Having logged 2.5 points each, they are at the bottom of the table along with Anna Muzychuk of Ukraine. Humpy has drawn five and lost two games. Vaishali managed a win, but committed errors which led to defeats in the sixth and seventh rounds.
Round 7 results
Open Section
Alireza Firouzja (2.5) bt D Gukesh (4)
Hikaru Nakamura (3.5) drew with Ian Nepomniachtchi (4.5)
Fabiano Caruana (4) drew with R Praggnanandhaa (4)
Nijat Abasov (2) drew with Vidit Gujrathi (3.5)
Women’s Section
Aleksandra Goryachkina (4.5) drew with Tan Zhongyi (5)
Kateryna Lagno (4) drew with Nurgyul Salimova (3)
Anna Muzychuk (2.5) drew with Koneru Humpy (2.5)
Lei Tingjie (4) bt R Vaishali (2.5)
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