Superbet Classic 2023 R4: Caruana emerges sole leader
Shahid Ahmed·2 min read
Fabiano Caruana scored his second consecutive victory at Superbet Chess Classic 2023. In a battle of the former world championship challengers, Caruana outplayed Nepomniachtchi in the queen and minor piece endgame. Caruana showcased his prowess in the endgame. World no.4 Alireza Firouzja scored the only other victory of the round. He defeated the Romania no.2 Bogdan-Daniel Deac. The new world champion, Ding Liren drew his fourth consecutive game. This time against the FIDE World Cup 2021 winner, Jan-Krzysztof Duda. Will Caruana be able to do a hat-trick? Round 5 starts today from 3 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Fabiano Caruana is the sole leader 3/4 | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA) - Anish Giri (NED): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Richard Rapport (ROU) drew against...
| Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Wesley So (USA)
| Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Caruana - Nepomniachtchi: 1-0
Fabiano Caruana (USA, 2764) outplayed Ian Nepomniachtchi (2795) in the queen and knight vs queen and bishop and many pawns endgame.
Position after 47...Be6
Black decided to drop the b6-pawn 47...Be6 48.Qxb6 Kf7 49.Qd4 Qa2 50.Qa7+ Kg8 51.Qa8+ Kh7 52.Qxa5 Kh8 and Caruana's connected passed pawns played a crucial role in earning him a victory.
Caruana: Victory over Nepo 'Very Satisfying' | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club
Fabiano Caruana is getting back to his form | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Deac - Firouzja: 0-1
The only other time the Romania no.2 GM Bogdan-Daniel Deac (2700) faced the World no.4 GM Alireza Firouzja (FRA, 2785) was at the very same event last year. It ended in a draw. However, this time Firouzja prevailed.
Position after 35...Nb6
White's pieces are uncoordinated. 35...Nb6 asks an important question. Which is the safe square for the queen? The answer is 36.Qd1. However, White played 36.Qxc6? which caused the queen to go away from the king. 36...Qxh2 37.Nd3 Qh1+ 38.Ke2 Bd4 39.Rd1 Qh5+ 40.Ke1 Rc8 41.Qb7 Qf3 and it's over.
Firouzja: Happy with win over Deac | Video: Saints Louis Chess Club
Bogdan-Daniel Deac put up a good fight against Alireza Firouzja | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Ding Liren (CHN) drew against... | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
...Jan-Krzystof Duda (POL)
| Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Kasparov: Ding is tired, trying to recover | Video: Saints Louis Chess Club
Photo Gallery
Shaking hands with Garry Kasparov is surely going to boost Bogdan-Daniel Deac's confidence | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Anish Giri signs autographs for his fans
| Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Round 4 in progress
| Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Replay Round 4 Live Commentary and analysis by GMs Varuzhan Akobian, Cristian Chirila, Yasser Seirawan, and IM Nazi Paikidze | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club
Replay Round 4 games
Round 4 results
Firouzja and Caruana scored the wins in Round 4 | Photo: Grand Chess Tour
