Candidates 2022 R12: Radjabov dashes Ding Liren's hopes
Ian Nepomniachtchi made a quick draw with Hikaru Nakamura to stretch his lead by two points. Teimour Radjabov brought Ding Liren's winning streak to a screeching halt. Thus, the World no.2's chances of reducing the gap is slim to none. Both Nakamura and Ding Liren are now at 6.5/12. They will face each other in the final round. So, only one of them has a mathematical chance to match the leader's score, provided Nepomniachtchi loses the last two games. Considering his form in this event, it is highly improbable that he will lose either. Today is a rest day. Round 13 starts tomorrow, Sunday 3rd July at 3 p.m. local time (6:30 p.m. IST). Photo: Steve Bonhage/FIDE
Nepomniachtchi on the verge of winning the Candidates
In case the world champion, Magnus Carlsen decides not to defend his title, the top two finishers of the Candidates will play the World Championship Match. Thus, the fight for the second spot is definitely going to be an exciting one.
Ding Liren - Radjabov: 0-1
Ding Liren (CHN) played overcautiously against Teimour Radjabov (AZE). It resulted in the World no.2 making some superficial moves.
White needed to cut his losses and drop the a3-pawn. 18.Ba1 Bxa3 19.0-0 and there is a lot to play here for White. Even 18.0-0 would have been fine too. 18.Rd2 Qc8 19.f3 became the beginning of the end for White. 19...Re8 20.Kf2 White's king is vulnerable at the center of the board, Qb8 21.Qc1 Rxe3! and now it's all over for White. Whether he accepts the sacrifice or declines it, the outcome remains the same.
Duda - Firouzja: 0.5-0.5
Jan-Krzysztof Duda (POL) got a substantial advantage against Alireza Firozuja (FRA). However, he could not find a way to make the most out of it.
26.Rf3 having the idea of creating a battery on the f-file seemed plausible. The game continued 26.Rd3 Qe7 27.Rf2 Be5 28.Qe2 Nf6 and eventually it liquidated into an opposite color bishop drawn endgame.
Replay Round 12 games
Round 12 results
| Bo. | No. | Rtg | Name | Result | Name | Rtg | No. | ||
| 1 | 8 | 2764 | GM | Rapport Richard | ½ - ½ | GM | Caruana Fabiano | 2783 | 3 |
| 2 | 2 | 2806 | GM | Ding Liren | 0 - 1 | GM | Radjabov Teimour | 2753 | 4 |
| 3 | 1 | 2750 | GM | Duda Jan-Krzysztof | ½ - ½ | GM | Firouzja Alireza | 2793 | 5 |
| 4 | 7 | 2766 | GM | Nepomniachtchi Ian | ½ - ½ | GM | Nakamura Hikaru | 2760 | 6 |
Round 13 pairings
| Bo. | No. | Rtg | Name | Result | Name | Rtg | No. | ||
| 1 | 7 | 2766 | GM | Nepomniachtchi Ian | GM | Rapport Richard | 2764 | 8 | |
| 2 | 6 | 2760 | GM | Nakamura Hikaru | GM | Duda Jan-Krzysztof | 2750 | 1 | |
| 3 | 5 | 2793 | GM | Firouzja Alireza | GM | Ding Liren | 2806 | 2 | |
| 4 | 4 | 2753 | GM | Radjabov Teimour | GM | Caruana Fabiano | 2783 | 3 |
Standings after Round 12
| Rk. | SNo | Name | FED | Rtg | Pts. | TB1 | TB2 | TB3 | |
| 1 | 7 | GM | Nepomniachtchi Ian | FID | 2766 | 8,5 | 47,25 | 5 | 0,0 |
| 2 | 6 | GM | Nakamura Hikaru | USA | 2760 | 6,5 | 38,00 | 3 | 0,0 |
| 3 | 2 | GM | Ding Liren | CHN | 2806 | 6,5 | 36,75 | 3 | 0,0 |
| 4 | 4 | GM | Radjabov Teimour | AZE | 2753 | 6,0 | 36,75 | 2 | 0,0 |
| 5 | 3 | GM | Caruana Fabiano | USA | 2783 | 6,0 | 36,25 | 3 | 0,0 |
| 6 | 8 | GM | Rapport Richard | HUN | 2764 | 5,0 | 28,50 | 1 | 1,5 |
| 7 | 1 | GM | Duda Jan-Krzysztof | POL | 2750 | 5,0 | 28,50 | 1 | 0,5 |
| 8 | 5 | GM | Firouzja Alireza | FRA | 2793 | 4,5 | 25,00 | 1 | 0,0 |
