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SuperUnited Rapid 2024 R4-6: Gukesh bounces back strong by winning against MVL and Nepomniachtchi

by Shahid Ahmed - 12/07/2024

D Gukesh made a strong comeback on the second day of Grand Chess Tour SuperUnited Rapid 2024. He started by defeating the previous day leader, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA). The former World Blitz champion, blundered a mate in four which cost him the game. In Round 5, Gukesh had a topsy-turvy game against Vidit Gujrathi. It could have gone either player's way. However, it ended in a draw by perpetual check. In Round 6, Gukesh defeated Ian Nepomniachtchi by doing a beautiful king shuffle from queenside to the kingside. Fabiano Caruana (USA) emerged sole leader 9/12. Wesley So (USA) is at 8/12. They are followed by Gukesh, MVL and Alireza Firouzja (FRA) at 7/12. Both Gukesh and Caruana scored 5/6 on day two. The final day of Rapid will start with Gukesh vs Caruana in Round 7. It starts today from 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Caruana emerges sole leader

Both Fabiano Caruana and D Gukesh had a great day. They scored 5/6, means two wins and a draw each. The only time Caruana was in danger was against Wesley So in Round 6. However, he managed to salvage a draw. One minute of silence was observed before the start of the game to pay respects to Sigrun Øen, mother of World no.1 - Magnus Carlsen.

D Gukesh scored 5/6 to move to the shared third spot 7/12 | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Round 4: Vachier-Lagrave - Gukesh: 0-2

Previous day sole leader, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA, 2747) had a great position. His opponent, D Gukesh (2647) fought back and kept creating chances. The former World Blitz champion, fell into a mate in four.

Position after 42...Ra3

To prevent Qf3+ and potential checkmate threats, 43.Rf1 would have been fine for White. Instead, 43.Rh1?? allowed Qf3+ and it was over as checkmate was inevitable.

Gukesh: Found some tricks & MVL blundered! | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club

D Gukesh ended Maxime Vachier Lagrave's unbeaten run | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Firouzja - Giri: 2-0

Alireza Firouzja (FRA, 2724) outplayed Anish Giri (NED, 2679) in the endgame.

Alireza Firouzja outplayed Anish Giri | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Vidit - So

Position after 98...Bg6

The long double knight vs double bishop endgame ideally should have ended in a draw. However, in a practical game especially when time is low, anything can happen. Vidit Gujrathi (2701) made the mistake of playing 99.Ke2? when 99.Nxd5 Kxg4 100.Ne3 Bxe3 101.Kxe3 Bxf5/Kxf5 both leads to a draw, thanks to the inevitable a5 threat.

A tough loss for Vidit after a gruelling 111-move long marathon battle against Wesley So | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Fabiano Caruana got a better position out of the opening and outplayed Levon Aronian | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Round 5: Gukesh - Vidit: 1-1

Gukesh and Vidit had a crazy game. It could have gone either player's way. Both of them had their fair share of winning chances.

Position after 17.Rd1

Black's queen is trapped but it's not completely over yet. 17...Qxf1 18.Qxf1 gxh4 19.Qe2 hxg3+ Black is very much in the fight. In fact, he even got winning chances later. However, he missed it, just like his opponent and the game ended in a draw by perpetual check.

Who is the stronger Rapid player - Gukesh or Vidit? Analysis by IM Sagar Shah | Video: ChessBase India

Solve questions posed by IM Sagar Shah on our interactive platform - ChessRanga.

Gukesh and Vidit had an extremely exciting battle | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Fabiano Caruana scored a comfortable win over Ivan Saric | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Round 6: Gukesh - Nepomniachtchi: 2-0

Last year, at the same event, Gukesh drew against Ian Nepomniachtchi (2754). This time, the current World Championship Challenger was determined to have a different score.

Position after 45...Kg6

Gukesh did a fantastic king shift from c8 to g6 where it is much more safe. It allowed Black to freely use his major pieces and exploit White's weak back rank. White's refusal to trade queens only hastened his demise.

Gukesh: Happy to be tied third | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club

Gukesh reflected on his first day to have a much better second day | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Caruana squeezes draw from Wesley: always a fight left | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club

Fabiano Caruana saved a tough endgame against Wesley So | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Round 6 in progress | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Look Inside Kasparov Chess Foundation Training Camp Day 2 | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club

Replay live stream

Replay Grand Chess Tour SuperUnited Rapid 2024 Round 4-6 Live Commentary by IM Sagar Shah and Amruta Mokal | Video: ChessBase India

Replay Round 4-6 games

Round 6 results

Bo. NameResultName PGN
1
GMFirouzja, Alireza½ - ½GMVachier-Lagrave, Maxime
PGN
2
GMVidit, Santosh Gujrathi½ - ½GMGiri, Anish
PGN
3
GMNepomniachtchi, Ian0 - 1GMGukesh, D
PGN
4
GMCaruana, Fabiano½ - ½GMSo, Wesley
PGN
5
GMAronian, Levon1 - 0GMSaric, Ivan
PGN

Details

Standings after Round 6

Fabiano Caruana is the new sole leader 9/12 | Photo: Grand Chess Tour/Saint Louis Chess Club

Details

Round 7 pairings

Bo. NameResultName PGN
1
GMSaric, IvanGMFirouzja, Alireza
2
GMSo, WesleyGMAronian, Levon
3
GMGukesh, DGMCaruana, Fabiano
4
GMGiri, AnishGMNepomniachtchi, Ian
5
GMVachier-Lagrave, MaximeGMVidit, Santosh Gujrathi

Details

Schedule and Format

SuperUnited Rapid and Blitz will have three rounds per day in the Rapid portion from 10th to 12th July. The Blitz event will take place on 13th and 14th July. It will be a double round-robin event for the Blitz which means nine rounds will be played on each day. Round 1 starts at 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. It will be a 10-player Round Robin event. Time control for Rapid will be 25 minutes + 10 seconds increment. For Blitz, it will be 5 minutes + 2 seconds increment.

Schedule | Source: Official site

Prize

The total prize fund for each of the Rapid and Blitz event is US$ 175000.

Links

Official site


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