Russia's Ian Nepomniachtchi took over sole lead of the Open category once again with an intense win over India's Vidit Gujrathi. Just behind him tied on second are US' Hikaru Nakamura (who beat India's R Praggnanandhaa) and India's Gukesh D (who drew US' Fabiano Caruana). Meanwhile, in the most significant (in terms of impact on the table) result of the round, China's Tan Zhongyi beat Russia's Kateryna Lagno to take over sole lead. Compatriot Lei Tingjie dropped to second after a hard fought draw against Ukraine's Anna Muzychuk.
Here's how round 11 panned out:
Results in round 11 (of 14):
FIDE Candidates Tournament (Open):
Praggnanandhaa R (IND) lost to Hikaru Nakamura (USA)
Vidit Gujrathi (IND) lost to Ian Nepomniachtchi (RUS)
Gukesh D (IND) drew with Fabiano Caruana (USA)
Alireza Firouzja (FRA) beat Nijat Abasov (AZE)
FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament:
Lei Tingjie (CHN) drew with Anna Muzychuk (UKR)
Tan Zhongyi (CHN) beat Kateryna Lagno (RUS)
Koneru Humpy (IND) beat Nurgyul Salimova (BUL)
Vaishali R (IND) beat Aleksandra Goryachkina (RUS)
Nepo takes sole lead (again), the Indians struggle
In the end game, Vidit had the advantage and could have forced a draw with a couple of repeatable moves but that's not the kind of tournament he's having. Going for all or nothing has meant all Vidit matches have been must-follow entertainment, and it was the case here too. Vidit's adventurousness was mirrored by Nepomniachtchi, and a few sacrificed pawns later, he had the upper hand. Rook B4 toward the end forced Vidit into a corner, cancelling out check opportunities. And that was that.
Snapshots from one of the most emotional games of the 11th round of the #FIDECandidates: Vidit Gujrathi - Ian Nepomniachtchi 0-1 ��
�� Michal Walusza
�� pic.twitter.com/IomPpv1Mq3- International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) April 18, 2024
Nakamura then outplayed Praggnanandhaa with black in a hugely important result in the title race. The game started at even keel, Praggnanandhaa having the upper hand after a few exchanges (including the queens very early on) simply by virtue of playing white. But as the game wore on Nakamura penned him and as he tried to bring the king out, Nakamura pounced as both players tried to go for the win. It was just the result the American needed to keep within touching distance of the outright leader, while Praggnanandhaa is now 1.5 points behind the pace.
Caruana looked to have taken the advantage against Gukesh despite playing with black, but Gukesh held him and the ticking clock off to take the draw: a result that means Gukesh is tied second and remains a key challenger.
Tan takes sole lead (again), the Indians win big
Meanwhile, in the women's category, Tan beat Lagno in a marathon encounter that sets her up as favourite, with her only real challenger being compatriot Lei who had a draw with Muzychuk. After her match, Lei would say, "If one of us [Lei and Tan Zhongyi] wins the Women's Candidates, the World Championship title will stay in China so it will be good for Chinese chess. [Tan] is leading right now so I have no pressure at all."
Humpy gained an early advantage against Salimova, and never let that go as she worked methodically towards the win while Vaishali's late uptick in form continued as she outlasted the much higher-rated Goryachkina to make it two wins in the last two rounds, lifting her off the bottom.
So what does that do to the standings?
Standings after Round 11 (of 14):
FIDE Candidates Tournament (Open):
Nepomniachtchi (7)
Nakamura, Gukesh (6.5)
Caruana (6)
Praggnanandhaa (5.5)
Vidit (5)
Firouzja (4.5)
Abasov (3)
FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament:
Tan (7.5)
Lei (7)
Goryachkina, Lagno, Humpy (5.5)
Muzychuk, Vaishali (4.5)
Salimova (4)
Note - There are five Indians playing the Candidates for the first time, which is a winner-takes-it-all tournament between the top 8 players in the world to decide who will compete in the World Championship match to challenge the reigning world champion.
Schedule
OPEN CATEGORY
WOMEN'S CATEGORY