India’s hopes of three gamers reaching the semifinal of the FIDE World Cup at Baku had been crushed on Wednesday, as Magnus Carlsen eradicated Gukesh D and residential favorite Nijat Abasov inflicted a surprising victory on Vidit Gujrathi.
However, India could have not less than one participant within the semifinal as R Praggnanandhaa fought brilliantly to beat compatriot Arjun Erigaisi within the second recreation to take their match to tie-breakers, which can be performed on Thursday.
The silver lining for India is that the winner of the sport between Praggnanadhaa and Erigaise will qualify for the 2024 Candidates Tournament after five-time world champion Carlsen confirmed he is not going to vie for a spot on the World Championship remaining for the second consecutive time.
Magnus Carlsen succeeds in securing the draw he wanted to eradicate Gukesh, regardless of being a pawn down within the endgame, and can now face the native star of the #FIDEWorldCup, Nijat Abasov, within the semifinals.
📷 Stev Bonhage pic.twitter.com/HiW8YzXYxD
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) August 16, 2023
“Under the current format (of the World Championships) there is absolutely no chance. I think everybody should operate under the assumption that I will not play at the Candidates and that everybody else who’s in the semifinals is qualified for the Candidates,” mentioned Carlsen after reaching the semifinal the place he’ll tackle Abasov.
The top-three finishers of the FIDE World Cup will qualify for the Candidates Tournament, whose winner will problem present champion, China’s Ding Liren.
Gukesh challenges
After dropping with white items on Tuesday, Gukesh knew that he must provide you with one thing out of this world to carry out the inconceivable– beat Carlsen in an over-the-board Classical chess recreation. He did put the Norwegian beneath stress, forcing him into time hassle briefly however Carlsen had all of the solutions to attract the sport thereby successful the match.
The 17-year-old Gukesh, seventh on this planet in stay FIDE scores, ought to take solace from that he challenged Carlsen with black items. At one level, with Carlsen having to make 11 strikes in as many minutes, it regarded like Gukesh would possibly simply pull off an unlikely victory however Carlsen managed to battle again regardless of being a pawn down within the endgame. Ultimately, the gamers determined to name it a draw after 59 strikes.
Vidit’s error prices him dearly
It took only a single error from 28-year-old Vidit to destroy his semifinal possibilities. Playing towards the lesser-rated Abasov, he erred on the seventeenth transfer by selecting to fortress on the queen’s facet. Abasov took full benefit and launched a calculated assault on the castled king, introduced a second queen on the board, and off the subsequent flip, checkmated the Indian to finish the competition in 44 strikes.
Watch the interview 👇https://t.co/pEk8ak92A9
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) August 16, 2023
India’s solely world champion Viswanathan Anand mentioned that the 97th-ranked Abasov benefitted from enjoying at house. “Always a tragedy for a player when a great tournament comes to an end like this, but Abasov on the other hand continues his sensational run! Playing at home has inspired him!” tweeted Anand.
Abasov too mentioned he didn’t count on to return to this point within the match and the consolation of time gave him the benefit. “I didn’t expect to come this far before the tournament obviously. My play was decent today. It was a nice queen-side attack. Vidit didn’t expect that my pawns will be so quick. And I had a nice advantage on time, that gave me extra chances,” he mentioned.
Irina Krush: “He is sportsmanlike; very nice, Vidit!”
Irene Sukandar: “What a gentleman!”
Vidit Gujrathi performs 43…Bxg8 and permits his opponent, Nijat Abasov, to finish the sport with checkmate. #FIDEWorldCup pic.twitter.com/kjwelzhWfn
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) August 16, 2023
Abasov gained’t get any such possibilities towards his subsequent opponent Carlsen although and must make optimum use of the 2 relaxation days. Carlsen, then again, appeared extraordinarily assured of his possibilities within the last-four.
“I am happy to be in the semifinals not playing the very very top guys. Of course, it will not be easy… I don’t think I have to do anything too unusual; play my game, and hopefully, it will be fine. Now I know for sure that I will play two more matches, so I might as well try to win the tournament!” he mentioned.
Pragg’s push
Playing with black items and needing a win to remain in rivalry, Praggnanandhaa seized benefit on the thirty eighth transfer however Erigaisi made him grind it out for the victory. He saved the battle alive however couldn’t forestall Praggnanandhaa from changing certainly one of his two additional pawns right into a queen on the seventy fifth flip and resigned.
Praggnanandhaa does it! In a must-win state of affairs after yesterday’s loss to his pal Arjun Erigaisi, he manages to strike again and take the match to tiebreaks! #FIDEWorldCup
📷 Anna Shtourman pic.twitter.com/Hu0o5I4VYY
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) August 16, 2023
The duo are in a extremely advanced place and as Praggnanandhaa admitted, it’s troublesome to play towards your greatest pal within the quarterfinal of such an enormous match. “Even yesterday we went for a walk, but… we were discussing chess but not our game in particular. So yeah it’s definitely harder to play your friend,” Praggnanandhaa mentioned.
The winner of the Erigaise-Praggnanandhaa conflict will play Fabiano Caruana within the semifinal. Caruana dominated his American compatriot Leinier Dominguez Perez to win in 94 strikes.
