Candidates 2024 R10: Gukesh draws with Nepomniachtchi, both still in the lead

by Shahid Ahmed - 16/04/2024

The highly anticipated clash between the leaders - D Gukesh and Ian Nepomniachtchi ended in a solid draw. The tenth round of FIDE Candidates 2024 witnessed two decisive games. Fabiano Caruana (USA) and Hikaru Nakamura (USA) won their respective games against Alireza Firouzja (FRA) and Nijat Abasov (AZE). They both are now trailing the leaders by a half point at 5.5/10 each. The All-Indian clash between R Praggnanandhaa and Vidit Gujrathi ended in a draw. Praggnanandhaa is also at 5.5/10, followed by Vidit 5/10. Today is a rest day. Round 11 starts tomorrow Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. local time, 12 a.m. IST. Photos: FIDE/Michal Walusza

Nakamura and Caruana score wins, reduce the gap

It goes without saying that the last four rounds are going to be exciting since it is a close race between six players.

The leaders Ian Nepomniachtchi and D Gukesh played a solid game

The intense clash of leaders - Nepomniachtchi vs Gukesh, Commentary by IM Sagar Shah | Video: ChessBase India

Gukesh: "I think I am in good shape and hopefully, it will continue in the next games" | Video: FIDE

Ian Nepomniachtchi on whether his experience gives him an edge over Gukesh in the last four rounds | Video: ChessBase India

Interview in the fan zone with Ian Nepomniachtchi | Video: FIDE

Why did Pragg and Vidit smile at each other at the end of the game? Commentary by IM Sagar Shah | Video: ChessBase India

Interview with R Praggnanandhaa | Video: FIDE

R Praggnanandhaa - Vidit Gujrathi: 0.5-0.5

Nakamura - Abasov

Position after 38.Ng3

Hikaru Nakamura (USA, 2789) gained a substantial positional advantage in the middlegame. Eventually he trapped Nijat Abasov's (AZE, 2632) rook, forcing him to give up exchange. Rest was just a matter of time, before Nakamura converted it into a win.

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

STOMPED!! | Video: GMHikaru

Hikaru Nakamura (USA) scored a smooth win over Nijat Abasov (AZE)

A beautifully captured contrast of a win and loss

Caruana - Firouzja

Position after 30.c5

Black needed to exchange the rooks and get rid of the resultant d6-pawn 30...Rxd6 31.cxd6 Rd8 and things would have remained in balance. Instead, 30...h4 31.Re7+ Kg6 32.Re5 Rh5? and things just spiraled out of Black's control.

Alireza Firouzja (FRA) lost his fourth game of the event

Less than an hour before the game, Alireza Firouzja (FRA) shared this image on his instagram story.

Well, it is clear Firouzja was quite upset about what happened on the previous day

Photo Gallery

Raj Viswanathan, CFO of Scotiabank, made the ceremonial first move of Round 10 Open on Praggnanandhaa-Vidit's board

A 'Silence Please' sign for the spectators

Hikaru Nakamura and Ian Nepomniachtchi with their fans

Who will win the Candidates 2024? Sagar Shah analyzes after round 10 on streets of Toronto | Video: ChessBase India

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 10 live stream

FIDE Candidates 2024 Round 10 Live Commentary by Amruta Mokal, IM V Saravanan and GM Pentala Harikrishna | Video: ChessBase India

Replay Round 10 games

Round 10 results

Round 10 results | Photo: FIDE

Details

Standings after Round 10

Rk.	SNo		Name	FED	Rtg	Pts.	TB1	TB2
1	4	GM	Gukesh, D	IND	2743	6	30,25	3
2	7	GM	Nepomniachtchi, Ian	FID	2758	6	27,50	2
3	6	GM	Praggnanandhaa, R	IND	2747	5,5	25,50	2
4	8	GM	Nakamura, Hikaru	USA	2789	5,5	25,00	3
5	1	GM	Caruana, Fabiano	USA	2803	5,5	23,75	2
6	5	GM	Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi	IND	2727	5	24,50	3
7	3	GM	Firouzja, Alireza	FRA	2760	3,5	18,75	1
8	2	GM	Abasov, Nijat	AZE	2632	3	15,75	0

Details

Round 11 pairings

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