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The Candidates Tournament, a prestigious event that determines the challenger for the World Chess Championship, has reached its penultimate stage with the standings in constant flux.In Round 11, Indian prodigy D Gukesh faced a time crunch against Fabiano Caruana and had to settle for a draw. Fellow Indians R Praggnanandhaa and Vidit Gujrathi suffered losses, further complicating the race for the title.Ian Nepomniachtchi, a two-time Candidates winner, showcased his resilience by securing a victory with Black against Vidit Gujrathi. Despite facing two lost positions in a marathon game, Nepomniachtchi managed to turn the tables and move into sole lead. Vidit's decision to push for a win in a seemingly equal position proved costly, as he missed multiple winning chances and ultimately handed Nepomniachtchi a crucial victory.Hikaru Nakamura joined Gukesh in second place with 6.5/11 after defeating Praggnanandhaa with Black. Praggnanandhaa's time constraints allowed Nakamura to maintain pressure and convert an edge into a vital win.Caruana expressed relief with his draw against Gukesh, acknowledging that his opponent had created a slight advantage. "The main thing was not to lose," Caruana said.In the women's section, Tan Zhongyi extended her lead to 7.5/11 with a victory over Kateryna Lagno. Humpy Koneru and Vaishali Rameshbabu also secured wins, while Lei Tingjie and Anna Muzychuk drew.Round 13 pairings will see Nakamura face Alireza Firouzja, Gukesh take on Nijat Abasov, Caruana play Vidit Gujrathi, and Nepomniachtchi face Praggnanandhaa.In the women's tournament, Lagno will face Lei Tingjie, Muzychuk will play Vaishali Rameshbabu, Aleksandra Goryachkina will meet Humpy Koneru, and Nurgyul Salimova will challenge Tan Zhongyi.

The Candidates Tournament, a prestigious event that determines the challenger for the World Chess Championship, witnessed a crucial Round 10 battle between co-leaders Ian Nepomniachtchi and D Gukesh. The highly anticipated clash ended in a draw, leaving the tournament standings unchanged.Gukesh, playing with the Black pieces, surprised Nepomniachtchi by deviating from the Berlin Defense to the Cozio Defense. The Indian prodigy equalized quickly out of the opening, and after the minor pieces were exchanged, the players agreed to a draw on Move 40. Gukesh expressed satisfaction with the result, acknowledging Nepomniachtchi's dangerous nature with White.Meanwhile, Americans Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura emerged victorious in the only two decisive games of the open section. Caruana, ranked second in the world, defeated Alireza Firouzja, who has seemingly fallen out of contention. Caruana played the risky 6.Rg1?! and introduced a novelty with Bc4 on the seventh move. Firouzja made several errors, including 30...h4 and 32...Rh5, before both players entered a time scramble. Caruana's superior endgame skills proved decisive.Nakamura, recovering from a loss in the previous round, defeated the lowest-rated player, Nijat Abasov. Despite time troubles, Nakamura managed to secure the win.In the women's section, Lei Tingjie continued her impressive run by defeating Aleksandra Goryachkina. Tan Zhongyi and Kateryna Lagno drew their game, while Vaishali R upset Nurgyul Salimova.

Vidit Gujrathi, the unassuming Indian chess prodigy, has emerged as a formidable contender in the prestigious Candidates Tournament. Despite not being a top seed or a prodigious talent, Gujrathi has persevered against the odds, carving his space in the competition with six decisive games in nine rounds.Gujrathi's journey to the Candidates has been a testament to his resilience. Unlike his fellow Indian prodigies, he has taken a longer path to the top. However, the pandemic and the rise of younger Indian GMs led him to question his place in the race.Undeterred, Gujrathi embarked on a rigorous preparation for the Grand Swiss in November 2023, which he won, securing his spot in the Candidates. At the tournament, he has displayed both brilliance and vulnerability. He has defeated world No. 3 Hikaru Nakamura twice, but has also suffered some costly time management errors.Gujrathi's team, including his sister Vedika and trainers Surya Sekhar Ganguly and Daniel Vucaturo, has played a crucial role in his success. They provide him with support and guidance, helping him navigate the emotional rollercoaster of the tournament.With only five rounds remaining, Gujrathi stands a point behind leaders Ian Nepomniachtchi and Gukesh. The contest is intensifying, and Gujrathi is determined to put up a fight to remember. He understands the pressure and emotions involved, but remains focused on staying in the zone and avoiding time-wasting mistakes.Gujrathi's journey is an inspiration to all who dare to dream big. He has proven that with hard work, perseverance, and a strong support system, anything is possible.

How Chess Players Remember All Those Lines and MovesWhen R Praggnanandhaa, the 17-year-old Indian chess prodigy, was asked how chess players remember all those lines and moves, he replied with a simple yet profound answer: "We don't."While it may seem like chess players have an eidetic memory, the truth is that they rely on a combination of techniques to navigate the vast and complex world of chess.Pattern RecognitionOne of the most important skills for chess players is pattern recognition. By studying countless games and positions, they develop an intuitive understanding of how pieces interact and how certain patterns lead to favorable or unfavorable outcomes. This allows them to quickly identify familiar situations and recall the best moves to play.ChunkingChess players also use a technique called chunking to break down complex positions into smaller, more manageable units. By grouping pieces and moves together, they can reduce the amount of information they need to hold in their minds at any given time. This makes it easier to remember the key ideas and strategies behind each position.Mental VisualizationAnother essential skill for chess players is mental visualization. They can visualize the board and the pieces in their minds, allowing them to analyze positions and calculate variations without physically moving the pieces. This ability to see the game in their heads helps them to remember the key features of each position and to anticipate their opponent's moves.Memory TechniquesWhile chess players don't memorize every single line and move, they do use memory techniques to improve their recall. These techniques include spaced repetition, which involves reviewing material at increasing intervals, and mnemonics, which are devices that help to associate information with something more memorable.Practice and ExperienceUltimately, the best way to improve memory in chess is through practice and experience. By playing countless games and studying the games of others, chess players develop a deep understanding of the game and its patterns. This knowledge allows them to recall the best moves in any given situation, even if they haven't encountered that exact position before.

In the eighth round of the Candidates chess tournament in Toronto, India's D Gukesh regained his joint lead with Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia after a decisive victory over compatriot Vidit Gujrathi. Gukesh's triumph came on a day when R Praggnanandhaa drew with Firouza Alireza of France, while Hikaru Nakamura defeated Fabiano Caruana in an all-American duel.Gukesh's victory was a testament to his tactical prowess. He surprised Gujrathi with a rare variation in the opening, forcing his opponent into a long thought process that cost him valuable time. Gukesh seized control of the only open file and used his queen and rook to penetrate Gujrathi's defenses. Despite Gujrathi's resistance, Gukesh's pressure proved too much, and he eventually checkmated his opponent in 38 moves.Praggnanandhaa, on the other hand, was unable to make significant progress with his white pieces against Alireza. The Indian opted for a variation in the Sicilian Taimanov that Alireza equalized without much difficulty. The players reached an equal endgame after the Queens were traded, and the draw was agreed upon ten moves later.Nakamura continued his dominance over Caruana, defeating the world number two in just 35 moves. Nakamura took his chances in the closed Ruy Lopez and capitalized on Caruana's unwarranted complications in the middle game. Caruana's time shortage also played a role in his downfall, as he missed a tactic in a difficult position.In the Women's section, Koneru Humpy scored a crucial victory over compatriot R Vaishali to move up to 3.5 points. Humpy's technical prowess proved superior to Vaishali's in an exchange down endgame, as her pair of rooks eventually outmaneuvered Vaishali's Bishop and Rook.The ninth round promises an exciting clash between Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa in the men's section, while Gujrathi faces the in-form Nakamura. The tournament remains wide open, with six rounds still to play.

In the ongoing Candidates Tournament, D Gukesh has regained a share of the lead after a comfortable victory over fellow Indian Vidit Gujrathi in Round 8. The second half of the double round-robin tournament commenced with reversed colors, and Gukesh capitalized on Vidit's time management struggles.Vidit's early time pressure, coupled with Gukesh's strategic pawn moves, led to a gradual loss of control over the a-file. Vidit's unnecessary pawn push on b5 and subsequent d4 advance proved detrimental, allowing Gukesh to dominate the open file with his rook and queen. Gukesh's precise play left Vidit with no counterplay, forcing him to resign.With this win, Gukesh joins Ian Nepomniachtchi at the top of the standings with five points. Despite the pressure, Gukesh remains composed, stating, "I've learnt to handle it. So far, I've handled it well."Hikaru Nakamura also made a significant move in the standings, defeating Fabiano Caruana to leapfrog ahead of his compatriot. Caruana, who entered the tournament as a favorite, has shown signs of vulnerability, and his blunder against Nakamura proved costly.Nakamura, who has now won four consecutive classical games against Caruana, attributes his success to his lack of pressure. "I feel no pressure in the Candidates. I'm playing for fun," he said. "I'm not saying I wouldn't be happy if I won. I'm just trying to play good chess and not make a fool of myself."

Indian chess prodigies R Praggnanandhaa and D Gukesh aim to close the gap on tournament leader Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia as the Candidates chess tournament resumes in Toronto for its eighth round.Praggnanandhaa, known for his aggressive style, will face Frenchman Firouza Alireza, while Gukesh will take on compatriot Vidit Gujarathi. Nepomniachtchi, the defending champion, holds a comfortable lead with 4.5 points, half a point ahead of Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh, and Fabiano Caruana of the United States.Gujarathi, with 3.5 points, is known for his late-tournament surges, while Hikaru Nakamura shares fifth place with him. Alireza sits in seventh place with 2.5 points, followed by Nijat Abasov of Azerbaijan.The Indian trio has shown flashes of brilliance but has also faced setbacks. Gujrathi outplayed Caruana but settled for draws in promising positions. Gukesh had a strong position against Alireza but made costly mistakes. Praggnanandhaa has been solid, notably drawing with Caruana in a French defense and defeating Gujrathi.Against Alireza, Praggnanandhaa will seek to capitalize on his white pieces. "I have been playing quite well and am happy with the quality," he said. Gukesh, with black pieces against Gujrathi, will aim to make a statement.Nepomniachtchi and Caruana remain the only unbeaten players at the halfway stage. Nepomniachtchi has led the tournament after 50% of games in his previous two victories. Caruana, known for his explosive play, is a potential threat.In the women's section, Indian hopes have not materialized. Konery Humpy and R Vaishali are at the bottom of the standings with 2.5 points each, while Zhongyi Tan leads with five points. Aleksandra Goryachkina of Russia is Tan's closest challenger.

The Candidates tournament, a grueling chess competition where only the winner qualifies for a shot at the World Championship, has reached its halfway point. With seven rounds played and seven more to go, the tournament has witnessed a mix of surprises, disappointments, and memorable moments.Overperformers:Two Indian teenagers, Gukesh D and Praggnanandhaa R, have defied expectations with their impressive performances. Gukesh remained undefeated until Round 7, while Praggnanandhaa has showcased his exceptional opening preparation and aggressive play. Both are now in joint second place, just half a point behind leader Ian Nepomniachtchi.Underperformers:Hikaru Nakamura, the world No. 3, and Alireza Firouzja, the crown prince-in-waiting, have struggled to live up to their billing. Nakamura has managed only one win in seven rounds, while Firouzja has suffered three losses. Firouzja's dismal performance has been attributed to his poor time management and a series of online blitz games he played before his Round 7 match.Move that Shook:Praggnanandhaa's 4...f5 against Vidit Gujrathi in Round 3 was a bold and unexpected move that caught the chess world by surprise. The Delayed Shliemann in the Ruy Lopez is a hyper-aggressive line with a somewhat dubious reputation, but Praggnanandhaa played it with confidence and precision.Time Trouble:The time control at the Candidates has been a source of controversy. With 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, players have often found themselves in time trouble, leading to rushed decisions and costly mistakes. Gukesh, in particular, has suffered from this time pressure, losing a game to Firouzja in a mad time scramble.Post-Game Press Conferences:Post-game press conferences have provided moments of levity and intrigue. Nepomniachtchi was asked about the contents of his thermos, revealing that it contained tea purchased from a gift shop in Canada. Firouzja, after his first win, admitted that he needed to play risky chess and win all his remaining games to have a chance of qualifying.Round 7 Results:* Open: Nakamura drew with Nepomniachtchi, Caruana drew with Praggnanandhaa, Abasov drew with Gujrathi, Firouzja defeated Gukesh* Women: Lagno drew with Salimova, Goryachkina drew with Tan, Muzychuk drew with Humpy, Lei defeated VaishaliRound 8 Pairings:* Open: Nakamura vs. Caruana, Nepomniachtchi vs. Abasov, Praggnanandhaa vs. Firouzja, Gujrathi vs. Gukesh* Women: Lagno vs. Goryachkina, Salimova vs. Muzychuk, Tan vs. Lei, Humpy vs. Vaishali

In the intense battle for the Candidates Tournament, India's D Gukesh suffered a heartbreaking loss to Alireza Firouzja in Round 7, knocking him out of the shared lead. The result propelled Ian Nepomniachtchi, who drew his game with Hikaru Nakamura, back into sole possession of first place.Gukesh, playing with White, faced an unbalanced position created by Firouzja's London System. Despite Firouzja's struggles in the tournament, he found inspiration in an online blitz session on the morning of the game. With time running out, Firouzja executed a brilliant Nd7! move, forcing Gukesh into a time scramble.Under immense pressure, Gukesh made a crucial mistake with Kh7, allowing Firouzja to deliver checkmate with 37…Rf3. The blitz session may have provided Firouzja with the spark he needed to pursue a mating attack, while Gukesh's first defeat in seven rounds dealt a significant blow to his title hopes.Meanwhile, R Praggnanandhaa continued his impressive run with an ambitious French Defense against world No. 2 Fabiano Caruana. Despite Caruana's previous successes against the French Defense, Praggnanandhaa's deep knowledge of the line forced a draw in 41 moves.Praggnanandhaa expressed satisfaction with his tournament performance, highlighting the quality of his games and his ability to recall lines at the board. He credited his support system for helping him overcome tough moments.As the players enter a rest day before the final seven rounds, the standings remain tight. Nepomniachtchi leads with 4.5 points, followed by Caruana and Praggnanandhaa with 4 points each. Gukesh is tied with Nakamura and Abasov at 3.5 points.