Four-Way Lead at FIDE Candidates Tournament
Two rounds are over in Yekaterinburg.
Round two of the FIDE Candidates Tournament in Yekaterinburg took place on March 18.
A symbolic first move in Caruana - Alekseenko was made by famous hockey player Pavel Datsyuk. After the start of the round, an honored guest came to the commentator’s room to answer GM Sergey Shipov’s questions.
As in round one, two games have been decisive and as many ended in a draw. This is Ding Liren’s second defeat in a row, this time from Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. The rating favorite Fabiano Caruana has outplayed Kirill Alekseenko. Nepomniachtchi – Grischuk and Wang Hao – Giri have ended in a draw.
Fabiano Caruana (USA) – Kirill Alekseenko (Russia) 1-0
The opening was a sharp 4.f3 line of the Nimzo-Indian Defence. Protected by his minor pieces, White pushed his d-pawn as a battering ram all the way to the sixth rank. In search of counterplay, Alekseenko sacrificed a piece for three pawns and found himself in severe time pressure. The imbalance was not in the Russian player’s favor as he fell victim to a ferocious kingside assault. Caruana's triumph came on move 34.
Fabiano Caruana: “I have employed this wild line for the first time and managed to take my opponent by surprise. I do not think he remembered all moves in this sharp and specific position. He was forced to give up a piece, and I really liked my position after that in addition to enjoying a lot more time on my clock. I never saw a way out for Black in the game that followed.”
Ian Nepomniachtchi (Russia) – Alexander Grischuk (Russia) 1/2-1/2
The Russian derby saw the Berlin line of Ruy Lopez – one of the most reliable openings in chess theory. Grandmasters were true to mainline theory for a long time, but there came a moment when the search of new ways urged White to uncork a new move, which did not prove much of a success though. A well-timed regrouping gave Black a superior pawn structure and a more harmonious coordination of pieces. However, White attempted to put some oil into the flame towards the time control move. Being pressed for time, Black committed an inaccuracy, which simplified the game with many exchanges that ensued. The game ended in a draw after Black's move 40.
Grischuk: “I burned too much of my clock, and “woke up” to the realization of having very little time left. In general, this game is for real chess connoisseurs who are eager to spend ages over analyzing boring lines.”
Ian Nepomniachtchi admitted the likelihood of having confused the move-order; however, it played into his hands that his opponent was in time trouble and could not turn the opportunity to his advantage.
Wang Hao (China) – Anish Giri (Netherlands) 1/2-1/2
The debut was a symmetrical English opening in which White decided to highlight his aggressive plans on the kingside without any delays. With the queens exchanged off early, the position with an isolani gave Black a more comfortable play. Wang Hao won a pawn, but Giri's stubborn defense secured him a draw on move 61.
Anish Giri, “I am happy to have bailed out. I’m lucky today because if I started losing game after game, turning the unfavorable tides would have been beyond me.
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France) – Ding Liren (China) 1-0
The opponents entered calm waters of Ruy Lopez, shifting the brunt of the battle to the middlegame. White managed to grab space and restrict Black's pieces. In trying to create counterplay, the Chinese grandmaster started kingside activities, which proved too adventurous and playing into White's hands. Vachier-Lagrave won a pawn, blocked the center, and launched an offensive at both flanks, exploiting the enemy’s numerous weaknesses. White succeeded in trading queens at the opportune moment to press the game home with a clear play.
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave assessed his current form as follows: “Having not played for two months now, I feel fresh and full of energy. This is especially so if compared to my last year's busy schedule.
Standings after Round 2:
1-4. Fabiano Caruana, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Wang Hao, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave – 1.5 points apiece;
5. Alexander Grischuk – 1;
6-7. Anish Giri, Kirill Alekseenko – 0.5;
8. Ding Liren – 0.
Round 3 pairings:
Ding Liren (China) – Fabiano Caruana (USA)
Anish Giri (Netherlands) – Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France)
Alexander Grischuk (Russia) – Wang Hao (China)
Kirill Alekseenko (Russia) – Ian Nepomniachtchi (Russia)
The organizers of the FIDE Candidates Tournament are the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the Chess Federation of Russia (CFR) as well as the Government of the Sverdlovsk Region and the Chess Federation of the Sverdlovsk Region.
Partners:
Sima Land - the title sponsor of the FIDE Candidates Tournament
Algorand - official blockchain partner
Kaspersky - official cybersecurity partner
PJSC PhosAgro - General partner of the CFR
Mercedes-Benz Russia - official auto partner
Pine Creek Golf Resort and SILA International Lawyers - partners
