GM Alireza Firouzja gained the only real lead on the 2024 Sinquefield Cup by defeating GM Fabiano Caruana in spherical one.
GM Ding Liren hinted at attacking intentions vs. GM Gukesh Dommaraju. But, when the 18-year-old challenger created counterplay, the world champion opted for a perpetual verify.
The Sinquefield Cup will proceed with spherical two on Tuesday, August 20, at 2 p.m. ET / 20:00 CEST / 11:30 p.m. IST.
Standings After Spherical 1
The Grand Chess Tour now all comes all the way down to the Sinquefield Cup. Day one featured two of probably the most anticipated duels: Gukesh and Ding confronted off for the primary time because the Indian prodigy turned the youngest challenger in historical past. In the meantime, Caruana and Firouzja went all-out for victory because the Grand Chess Tour crown hangs within the stability.
Caruana vs. Firozuja: 0-1
Wanting to maximise his possibilities towards his GCT rival, Caruana ready a potent sacrifice of a middle pawn within the opening. GM Christian Chirila shared his insights:
Earlier than the final day of blitz chess on the Saint Louis Fast & Blitz, I used to be speaking with Fabiano’s second for this match, Grigory Oparin. I requested him how the preparation was going for the blitz and speedy. He stated, ‘For the previous few days, we’ve been coaching for this sport towards Alireza.’ So, this sport has been brewing for the previous few days, possibly even every week.
Firouzja responded with fearless play, accepting the sacrifice and trusting his personal analysis regardless of understanding that his opponent needed to be deep inside his prep. At a key second, Caruana had a singular alternative to check Firouzja’s defensive skills.
The gamers fought on to a tense equality. Although they every examined the waters with some repeating strikes, Caruana stored urgent for the win. Firouzja shared his perspective on his opponent’s strategy: “He was engaged on my time, which was an excellent technique. He was enjoying nonsense strikes, however he was making me suppose.”
He was enjoying nonsense strikes, however he was making me suppose.
―Alireza Firouzja
When the gamers reached a time scramble, Firouzja was each behind on the clock and defending on the board. He marched his king away from the enemy queen to the queenside. Within the crucial second, the GCT chief out-calculated Caruana. When the smoke cleared, Firouzja was forward related passers whereas his opponent solely had spite checks to attempt to decelerate White’s progress.
Simply when the sport gave the impression to be over, the 21-year-old grandmaster allowed Caruana again into the sport, however the world number-three missed his likelihood. He immediately traded right into a misplaced queen ending, and Firouzja took it house with no extra surprises from there.
This absorbing battle between the highest two is our Sport of the Day. Evaluation by GM Rafael Leitao is under.
Ding vs. Gukesh: 1/2-1/2
With a easy rook elevate, Ding introduced his intentions for a kingside assault, and the sport appeared to be heating up. Gukesh responded actively. When the world champion made a logical but inaccurate transfer, the challenger was capable of create a complicated protected handed pawn. This highly effective pawn ensured him sufficient counterplay towards White’s attacking makes an attempt. Realizing this, Ding bailed out, giving up his bishop and rook to create a perpetual verify.
Praggnanandhaa vs. Abdusattorov: 1/2-1/2
Within the early middlegame, GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu had possibilities to make use of his kingside strain to achieve a superior endgame vs. fellow prodigy, GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov. When the Indian grandmaster hallucinated that he could be down a pawn within the ensuing place, he rejected the crucial line. Although he continued to press, Abdusattorov defended with precision, resulting in an excellent double rook ending.
Nepomniachtchi vs. Vachier-Lagrave: 1/2-1/2
GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave is understood for his devotion to the Sicilian Najdorf. So, when the French grandmaster performed 1…e5, GM Ian Nepomniachtchi examined his opponent’s information of the Scotch Gambit. Although Vachier-Lagrave appeared to carry the stability with ease, he later revealed:
It will possibly by no means be simple while you play this form of line for the primary time in your life. I made a decision to shock Ian, and it is at all times good so as to add new choices for opponents.
It will possibly by no means be simple while you play this form of line for the primary time in your life.
―Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
So vs. Giri: 1/2-1/2
GM Wesley So shocked GM Anish Giri with the Benoni, but the Dutch grandmaster was capable of achieve a cushty place. He shared:
He performed the Benoni, which is sort of exceptional. After all, I checked out it… however I didn’t fairly suppose that Wesley would do this towards me within the first spherical as a result of White can be taking severe dangers. Even the computer systems are flirting with benefit for Black in these traces. It isn’t higher, nonetheless I didn’t count on this alternative from Wesley… I revered that alternative loads.
So had the possibility to press for extra within the ending with an change sacrifice, setting his hopes in his related passers and supporting bishop pair. When he opted towards it, the sport turned very stage, and the gamers have been the primary to complete with a draw.
In spherical two, Firouzja could have Black vs. Abdusattorov. Gukesh will get a shot towards Nepomniachtchi in a battle between Ding’s challengers. Moreover, we are going to see an all-American duel with So vs. Caruana.
The 2024 Sinquefield Cup is the final leg and remaining classical occasion of the 2024 Grand Chess Tour. Ten gamers compete in a classical single round-robin for his or her share of a $350,000 prize fund.
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