With just two rounds remaining in the Candidates tournament in Toronto, the competition couldn’t be tighter. Three players are tied for the lead, with another trailing closely behind. The €500k tournament will determine which of the eight contenders will challenge China’s Ding Liren for the world crown later this year. The leaders after 12 rounds (of 14) were Ian Nepomniachtchi (Russia), Hikaru Nakamura (US), and Gukesh Dommaraju (India), all at 7.5 points; followed closely by Fabiano Caruana (US) at 7 points and Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu (India) at 6 points.
The upcoming key games to watch include Saturday’s round 13 match between Nepomniachtchi and Nakamura, and Sunday’s round 14 matches featuring Nakamura against Gukesh and Caruana against Nepomniachtchi. Nepomniachtchi, who has won the 2020-21 and 2022 Candidates tournaments, holds a unique record of leading, either alone or jointly, in all 40 rounds of the three events. If the 33-year-old can secure victory and qualify for a third world title match, it would be a remarkable achievement.
Nepomniachtchi’s path to victory has been marked by his reliance on the Petroff Defense as Black, a strategy that his opponents have struggled to overcome. Despite facing tough competition, Nepomniachtchi remains the only unbeaten player in the tournament. Nakamura, the world No. 3 and a popular streamer, joined the leaders with a series of impressive wins. Despite initially lagging behind, Nakamura’s late surge has put him in contention for the title.
Gukesh, at just 17 years old, has been the revelation of the tournament. Excelling in complex positions, he has positioned himself as a serious contender for the title of youngest world champion in chess history. Caruana, the pre-tournament favorite and world No. 2, has faced challenges but has shown signs of recovery in the later rounds.
With the competition heating up, the final rounds are expected to be intense, with the outcome likely to be decided in the last round or even through speed tie-breaks. Nepomniachtchi faces tough matchups in the final rounds against Nakamura and Caruana. The games start at 7:30 pm BST on all days, with free and live coverage available on major chess websites and the official channel.
In the women’s Candidates tournament, the Chinese dominance continues, with Tan Zhongyi leading the race to challenge world title holder Ju Wenjun. With just two rounds left, the competition remains fierce, with several contenders vying for the top spot. Tan’s swift victory in round nine showcased her skill and determination in the tournament. As the competition enters its final stages, all eyes are on the players as they vie for a chance to compete for the world title.