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The Candidates Tournament, a prestigious chess event that determines the challenger for the World Championship, has reached its halfway point with an Indian teenager, Gukesh D, sharing the lead. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the transformative impact of Viswanathan Anand, India's first chess superstar.Thirty-three years ago, Anand's victory in the Candidates match against Soviet player Alexsey Dreev shattered the notion that an Indian could break into the elite chess world. His success inspired a generation of Indian players, including Dibyendu Barua, who became India's second Grandmaster.In 1994-95, India hosted the Candidates quarterfinals and semifinals in Sanghinagar, Hyderabad. Anand faced Soviet-born American GM Kamsky in the quarterfinals and held a comfortable lead. However, Kamsky staged a remarkable comeback, winning the next two games and the two rapid playoff games to defeat Anand.Despite this setback, Anand's journey continued. He avenged his defeat against Kamsky in the PCA Candidates tournament final and qualified for his first World Championship against Garry Kasparov in 1995. His first World Championship title arrived in 2000, and he went on to become world champion four more times.Anand's success has inspired a new generation of Indian chess players, including Gukesh D, Vidit Gujrathi, and Praggnanandhaa R. These young players are now making their mark on the world stage, sharing the lead in the Candidates Tournament and dreaming of following in Anand's footsteps.

Round 6 of the Candidates Tournament witnessed a resurgence for Indian grandmasters Vidit Gujrathi and R Praggnanandhaa, who secured the only decisive victories in the Open section.Praggnanandhaa, after a disappointing draw against Ian Nepomniachtchi in Round 5, bounced back with a win against the tournament's lowest seed, Nijat Abasov. The endgame proved to be a thrilling affair, with Abasov desperately trying to avoid a second consecutive loss. However, his decision to capture a pawn on a6 proved costly, as Praggnanandhaa spotted a brilliant move (40.Nd7) that sealed the game.Gujrathi, who had endured two losses and a tough draw in the previous rounds, found redemption against Alireza Firouzja. The French-Iranian GM, known for his stylish attire, has struggled in this tournament. Gujrathi capitalized on Firouzja's early mistakes, taking a pawn with 13...Qxf2? that ultimately led to his downfall.The marquee matchup between Nepomniachtchi and Fabiano Caruana ended in a quick draw, continuing the trend of drawn encounters between the two former Candidates winners.In the Women's section, all games in Round 6 were decisive, with three victories for Black. Former world champion Tan Zhongyi maintained her lead with a win over Anna Muzychuk. Indian players Koneru Humpy and R Vaishali suffered losses to Kateryna Lagno and Lei Tingjie, respectively.

Chess, a game of strategy and endurance, can be a brutal affair. In the ongoing Candidates Tournament, a grueling battle for the right to challenge the World Champion, young Indian prodigy D Gukesh has emerged as a formidable force.In Round 5, Gukesh faced Nijat Abasov, the lowest-ranked player in the Open category. After a tense six-hour marathon, Gukesh emerged victorious, showcasing his remarkable composure and resourcefulness.Early on, Abasov equalized comfortably with Black. However, as the game progressed, Gukesh's chances with White grew. Despite facing a time scramble, he managed to unearth a winning endgame.With Black's King vulnerable and a pawn down, Gukesh threatened checkmate. In a queen endgame, Abasov had only one move to avoid defeat: pushing his Queen to g2. However, exhausted after six hours of play, he mistakenly moved his Queen to f1 instead.This fatal error allowed Gukesh to trade Queens and secure a decisive advantage. Abasov's six-hour battle was in vain, as he resigned in defeat.Gukesh's victory not only propelled him into the tournament lead but also into the world's top 10 in live ratings. His mentor, Viswanathan Anand, praised his execution, calling it "a dramatic finish."Meanwhile, fellow Indian R Praggnanandhaa had a disappointing day. Despite sacrificing two pawns and a piece against Ian Nepomniachtchi, he failed to capitalize on his advantage and settled for a draw.The Round 5 results set the stage for exciting matchups in Round 6. Gukesh will face Hikaru Nakamura, while Praggnanandhaa will take on Abasov.

The Candidates Tournament: A Mountainous Chess ChallengeThe Candidates Tournament, a grueling chess competition, is likened to a mountain climb by former world No. 2 Levon Aronian. Over three weeks, 16 players (eight in Open and women) will face a test of their chess intellect, emotions, and endurance. Only two will emerge victorious.This year's tournament features a clash of generations, with established elite players facing off against rising stars. In the Open section, three players under 20 years old—D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, and Alireza Firouzja—will make their debuts.In an era dominated by computer engines and AI, players must find new ways to prepare for classical tournaments. Grzegorz Gajewski, coach to Gukesh, emphasizes the importance of using engines judiciously to avoid stifling creativity.Gajewski believes that players should focus on finding practical positions that allow them to demonstrate their superior board skills. Aronian agrees, suggesting that players should introduce unexpected moves early on to disrupt their opponents' preparation.The tournament's length makes it difficult to maintain a lead. Anand highlights the need for calmness, adaptability, and the ability to seize opportunities. Aronian, despite his experience, has yet to qualify for the World Championship through the Candidates Tournament.He acknowledges the emotional toll the tournament takes, as players balance the desire for focus with the passion to succeed. The Candidates Tournament is a true test of chess prowess, endurance, and the ability to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of competition.

Magnus Carlsen, the five-time world chess champion, has shared his insights on the upcoming Candidates tournament, which will determine his challenger for the next World Championship. In an interview on the Sjakksnakk podcast, Carlsen expressed his belief that Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura are the strongest contenders to emerge victorious.Carlsen highlighted the consistency and experience of Nakamura and Caruana, stating that they are the "best and most consistent players" in the field. He acknowledged the potential of rising stars like Alireza Firouzja, but emphasized that a victory for any of the other four participants (Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, Vidit, Abasov) would be a major upset.Regarding the World Championship match itself, Carlsen believes that Nakamura poses a significant threat to Ding Liren, the current challenger. He noted that Nakamura has historically performed well against Ding, while Ding has struggled against Caruana. However, Carlsen also emphasized that Ding's recent form has been impressive, and if he maintains that level of play, he could challenge either Nakamura or Caruana.Carlsen also discussed his own absence from the World Championship cycle, stating that he has no immediate plans to return. He expressed contentment with his decision to step away and believes that it has been beneficial for his overall well-being.On the topic of the younger generation of chess players, Carlsen expressed skepticism about whether any of them will surpass his own achievements. He acknowledged their potential but doubted that they would reach the same level of dominance that he has enjoyed.Carlsen emphasized his continued love for the game, despite his reduced involvement in competitive chess. He enjoys playing casual online games and believes that taking breaks from major tournaments can be beneficial for his motivation.

R Praggnanandhaa, India's rising chess star, concluded the Prague Masters chess tournament with a draw against David Navara of the Czech Republic. Despite his valiant effort, Praggnanandhaa settled for a draw in the final round, but he can take solace in his strong performance, which has positioned him as the top-rated Indian heading into the upcoming Candidates Tournament in Toronto.The Candidates Tournament, a prestigious event that determines the challenger for the World Championship match, was initially met with visa issues for some participants. However, thanks to the tireless efforts of FIDE and various channels, the tournament is now set to proceed as planned.In the final round of the Prague Masters, five draws occurred among the top 10 players, leaving the standings largely unchanged. Nodirbek Abdusattarov of Uzbekistan emerged victorious, having secured 6/8 points in the previous rounds and adding another half-point in the final round.Praggnanandhaa finished the tournament with a respectable score of five points, alongside Parham Maghsoodloo of Iran and Ngyen Thai Dai Van of the Czech Republic. Gukesh, Richard Rapport of Romania, and David Navara shared fifth place with 4.5 points each, while Mateusz Bartel and Vincent Keymer finished with 3.5 points. Vidit Gujrathi placed last with three points.Among the three Indian participants in the Candidates Tournament, Praggnanandhaa has shown the most impressive form. However, with the dates for the World Championship challenger match now set, it remains to be seen who will emerge victorious under the pressure of the high-stakes event.

The 2024 Candidates Tournament, a prestigious chess event organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), is scheduled to take place in Toronto from April 3 to 23. However, the tournament's location remains uncertain due to visa issues affecting several participants.Five Indian players have received visa approvals for the tournament: Praggnanandhaa R, Vidit Santosh Gujrathi, and Gukesh D in the Open category, and Vaishali Rameshbabu and Koneru Humpy in the Women's category. However, three players and an official from other countries are still awaiting their visas.Vladimir Drkulec, president of the Chess Federation of Canada, confirmed that all Indian participants have received their visas and will be able to participate in the tournament. However, he emphasized that the tournament will be moved to Spain if all players from other countries do not receive their visas by Friday."We are down to ten visas still needing approval. There are no Indians on that list," Drkulec said. "But it won't do any good if we don't get all the players approved from other countries as the tournament will move to Spain."FIDE has issued an urgent appeal to Canada's Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marc Miller, to resolve the visa issue. FIDE director general Emil Sutovsky has stated that the tournament will not be postponed or players replaced due to visa issues.This will be the first time the Candidates Tournament, which has been held for nearly 70 years, will be held in North America. The tournament features 16 of the world's top chess players, including Magnus Carlsen, the reigning World Champion.

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa has emerged as a strong contender for the top honors at the Prague Masters chess tournament in Prague. In a crucial sixth-round encounter, Praggnanandhaa defeated overnight sole leader Nodirbek Abdusattarov of Uzbekistan, bringing him within striking distance of the top spot.Praggnanandhaa, playing with the black pieces, displayed exceptional skill and strategy. He countered Abdusattarov's Ruy Lopez opening with deft maneuvers, gradually gaining an advantage on all sides of the board. As the game progressed, Abdusattarov found himself under increasing pressure and eventually succumbed to Praggnanandhaa's relentless attack.This victory propelled Praggnanandhaa to second place in the standings, with 3.5 points, just half a point behind Abdusattarov. The tournament, a ten-player round-robin event, still has three rounds remaining, and Praggnanandhaa is well-positioned to challenge for the title.Meanwhile, other Indian players faced mixed fortunes. D Gukesh suffered a setback, losing to Mateusz Bartel of Poland. Vidit Gujrathi also experienced a disappointing result, going down to Vincent Keymer of Germany.In the other matches of the sixth round, Nguyen Thai Dai Van of the Czech Republic defeated Parham Maghsoodloo of Iran, while David Navara of the Czech Republic drew with Richard Rapport of Romania.With three rounds remaining, the Prague Masters tournament remains highly competitive. Praggnanandhaa's victory over Abdusattarov has injected excitement into the race for the top spot, and the Indian prodigy will be determined to maintain his momentum and secure a podium finish.

The Prague Masters Chess tournament in Prague has reached its halfway point, with four rounds remaining. Grandmasters R Praggnanandhaa and D Gukesh, currently tied for fourth place, face crucial matches in the upcoming round.Praggnanandhaa, known as "Pragg," will face tournament leader Nodirbek Abdusattarov, while Gukesh will play against Mateuesz Bartel of Poland, who is currently in last place. A win for both Indians would significantly boost their chances of finishing on the podium.Abdusattarov, the world number five, has maintained his lead with four points out of a possible five. However, it remains to be seen if he can sustain his momentum in the remaining rounds.Parham Maghsoodloo, who entered the tournament with impressive results, has been playing cautiously since winning the first two rounds. He needs to improve his performance to remain in contention for the top prize.Richard Rapport, known for his unconventional style, stands third with three points. The Hungarian-turned-Romanian will be looking for opportunities to capitalize on his strengths.Vidit Gujrathi, the other Indian in the tournament, has had a mixed start. After four consecutive draws, he lost to Praggnanandhaa, costing him valuable points. However, Gujrathi is known for his ability to perform well in the latter stages of tournaments.Meanwhile, Arjun Erigaisi has surpassed Viswanathan Anand to become the top-ranked Indian player for the second time in three days. Erigaisi is leading the Shenzen Masters in China and has also entered the top ten in the world live rankings for the first time.