Candidates R1: High-quality, fighting draws

by Carlos Alberto Colodro
4/5/2024 – The much anticipated Candidates Tournament kicked off in Toronto, Canada. The open section featured four draws on the first day of action. In the all-American confrontation between Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura (who are also the top two seeds in the event), Caruana got to put pressure on his compatriot with the white pieces. A fighting draw was also seen in the battle of youngsters between Alireza Firouzja and Praggnanandhaa R. | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

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An all-American classic

World number one Magnus Carlsen considers that the two players most likely to win the Candidates Tournament in Toronto are Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura. The two favourites according to Carlsen are also the highest-rated players in the event and two of the three participants aged 30 or above (with Ian Nepomniachtchi) in the open section.

Caruana played white against Nakamura in round 1, as players from the same country are paired up against each other in the first rounds to avoid potential collusions. Caruana got to put pressure on his compatriot, but Naka found strong defensive recourses, which prompted Caruana to acquiesce to a draw on move 41.

The all-American classic was one of four draws seen on opening day:

  • Gukesh D employed an interesting opening idea with white against Vidit Gujrathi. On move 17, Vidit spent almost 40 minutes before playing a continuation that led to a draw by repetition.
  • Underdog Nijat Abasov understandably chose to play solidly with white against 2-time Candidates’ winner Ian Nepomniachtchi. A 34-move draw was the result.
  • Alireza Firouzja and Praggnanandhaa R played the most exciting game of the day, as Firouzja took some risks with the white pieces. After going for a sharp tactical idea in the middlegame, though, Firouzja failed to find the most precise continuation, and Pragg managed to escape with a draw by perpetual check.

Friday’s second round will see rating favourite Caruana playing white against Abasov in what the U.S. grandmaster surely considers to be a great chance to score a full point.

Vidit Gujrathi

Meditating before the start of the tournament — Vidit Gujrathi | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza 

Caruana ½ - ½ Nakamura

Theoretical preparation plays a big role in elite chess events, and it was Nakamura who got a small victory in his round-1 encounter against Caruana, as his 5...e5 steered clear of the much-studied Najdorf Defence in the Sicilian.

Caruana v. Nakamura

This surprise allowed Nakamura to gain a considerable advantage on the clock. Caruana used his time wisely, though, as he decided to avoid the sharpest continuations (which his opponent had surely prepared deeply) while making the most of the strategic benefits that White obtains in this sideline.

By move 19, Nakamura had 1 hour and 41 minutes to Caruana’s 51 minutes. However, at that point, Nakamura realised that he needed to be careful, and thought for over half an hour before deciding how to continue.

Soon after, Caruana gained a pawn, as Nakamura looked for counter-chances in a position with opposite-coloured bishops on the board.

23...Rxf2 is the best move in the position, as played by Black. The idea is that 24.Kxf2 fails to 24...Qh4+ and White will not be able to escape a draw by perpetual check.

Thus, Caruana replied by 24.Rbxd5 Qh4 25.Qd3, consolidating his position, and a critical point in the game was reached after 25...Rf6 26.g3 Qb4 27.Kg2 Bb2

With 12 minutes left on his clock (for 13 moves), Caruana here decided to get rid of Black’s active rook by playing 28.Rf5. The idea seems to make sense at first sight, but as it turns out, White would have retained reasonable winning chances by keeping all four rooks on the board — with 28.Rd7 or 28.a4.

Once a pair of rooks was exchanged, Nakamura showcased his strong defensive technique to further simplify the position and reach a setup in which White had no real chances to fight for more. The draw was agreed on move 41.

Fabiano Caruana, Hikaru Nakamura

The all-American clash between Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura ended in a draw | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza 


Expert analysis by IM Robert Ris


Firouzja ½ - ½ Praggnanandhaa

In an interesting theoretical battle, the youngsters explored an exciting line emerging from the ever-principled Ruy Lopez. Firouzja’s 14.Nb3 — the engines’ top suggestion — invited Pragg to double White’s f-pawns by capturing on f3.

Firouzja v. Praggnanandhaa

Pragg had certainly prepared this line, as he needed less than 3 minutes to play 14...Bxf3, creating a permanent imbalance in the position.

The prodigies continued to play rather quickly until move 22, as both of them brought more pieces to the kingside, with White occupying the open g-file and Black attempting to create a battery along the h-file.

The situation turned sharp rapidly. By move 30, Firouzja had a bit over 4 minutes on his clock, while Pragg had about 10 minutes and a half. Surely, both contenders had foreseen the sharp 30.Nc5 during their deep calculations.

Black cannot capture with 30...Nxc5 due to 31.Re8+ — Pragg was ready to reply by 30...Qh5, counter-attacking on the h-file.

However, engines show that placing the queen on the h-file was a mistake by the Indian GM, since 31.Reg2 would have forced Black to find precise defensive ideas to keep the game going. Nevertheless, Firouzja was also imprecise in his calculations, as he failed to find the correct move order and played 31.Nxe6 instead of doubling on the g-file.

As it turns out, Black can fully justify his previous play after White’s capture on e6 — there followed 31...Qxg4 32.Ng5 Ne5

A brilliant idea. Capturing with the pawn loses to ...Qxg5, while 33.Rxe5, as played in the game, deflects the rook from its defensive spot on the second rank, allowing Black to play 33...Rxh2+ 34.Kxh2 Qh5+, with a perpetual check.

Understandably, the contenders enthusiastically discussed what had just transpired in this exciting battle right after agreeing to a draw. Remarkable!

Alireza Firouzja

Alireza Firouzja | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu

Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza


Expert analysis by IM Robert Ris


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MoveNResultEloPlayers
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1.e4 4 c5 10 2.Nf3 5       d6 4 3.d4 14 cxd4 6 4.Nxd4 3 Nf6 6 5.Nc3 4 e5 5 6.Bb5+ 3:44       Nbd7 30 7.Nf5 4:07 a6 43 8.Ba4 9:20 8.Nxd6+? Bxd6 9.Qxd6 axb5-+ 8...b5 14 9.Bb3 3 Nc5 5 10.Bg5 1:40 aiming for Bd5. Bxf5 6 White is slightly better. 11.exf5 1:54 Be7 5       12.Bxf6 5:30 Bxf6 1:43 13.0-0 10:14 e4 2:43 14.Nxe4 9:35 Nxe4 1:16 15.Re1 20 15.Qd5!? 0-0 15...Ng5? 16.Rae1+ Kf8 17.h4± 16.Qxe4 15...0-0! 8 16.Rxe4 3       Black needs to defend precisely. Bxb2 14 Black is weak on the light squares 17.Rb1 2 Bf6 3:52 18.Qd5 2:38 Rc8 6:37       19.Qb7 12:29 Rc5 34:27 20.Qxa6 1:21 Rxf5 4:27 21.Rd1 4:45 White is more active. d5 2:49 22.Rb4 20:56       22.Qxb5? dxe4 23.Bxf7+ Rxf7-+ 22...Bc3 20:10 23.Rxb5 23 Rxf2 7 24.Rbxd5 10:18 Of course not 24.Kxf2?! Qh4+ 25.Kg1 Bd4+ 26.Kh1 Be5= 24...Qh4 31 25.Qd3 2:31 Rf6 2:45 26.g3 2:30 26.Qxc3? is a self mate. Qf2+ 27.Kh1 Qf1+ 28.Rxf1 Rxf1# 26...Qb4 3:18 27.Kg2 2:48 Bb2 0 28.Rf5 2:58 g6 9:41 29.Rxf6 3 Bxf6 4 30.Qf3 17 Qe7 4 31.a4 56 Kg7 1:28 32.a5 16 White should play 32.Bd5 32...Ra8= 2:55 33.Rd5 1:03 33.Qxa8!? Qe2+ 34.Kh3= 33...Ra7 5 34.Rb5 1:38 Qd8 1:25 35.Rd5 54 Qc7 1:35 But not 35...Qa8?! 36.a6 36.h4 52 Rxa5 6:15 37.Rxa5 4 Qxa5 3 38.Qb7 3 Qd8 22 39.Qxf7+ 6 Kh6 1 40.Kh3 0 Qe7 0 41.Qc4 2:23 Qe3 52 Weighted Error Value: White=0.08 (flawless) /Black=0.08 (flawless) . Mistake: White=1 --- Inaccurate: White=2 Black=5 OK: White=13 Black=15 Best: White=1 Black=1 Strong: --- Black=1 ½–½
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Caruana,F2803Nakamura,H2789½–½2024B56FIDE Candidates 20241.1
Abasov,N2632Nepomniachtchi,I2758½–½2024D53FIDE Candidates 20241.2
Firouzja,A2760Praggnanandhaa R2747½–½2024C83FIDE Candidates 20241.3
Gukesh D2743Vidit,S2727½–½2024D40FIDE Candidates 20241.4
Praggnanandhaa R2747Gukesh D27430–12024E20FIDE Candidates 20242.1
Nakamura,H2789Vidit,S27270–12024C65FIDE Candidates 20242.2
Nepomniachtchi,I2758Firouzja,A27601–02024C65FIDE Candidates 20242.3
Caruana,F2803Abasov,N26321–02024B30FIDE Candidates 20242.4
Gukesh D2743Nepomniachtchi,I2758½–½2024E01FIDE Candidates 20243.1
Abasov,N2632Nakamura,H2789½–½2024D13FIDE Candidates 20243.2
Firouzja,A2760Caruana,F2803½–½2024B30FIDE Candidates 20243.3
Vidit,S2727Praggnanandhaa R27470–12024C70FIDE Candidates 20243.4
Nakamura,H2789Praggnanandhaa R2747½–½2024C78FIDE Candidates 20244.1
Nepomniachtchi,I2758Vidit,S27271–02024C67FIDE Candidates 20244.2
Caruana,F2803Gukesh D2743½–½2024C54FIDE Candidates 20244.3
Abasov,N2632Firouzja,A2760½–½2024E32FIDE Candidates 20244.4
Praggnanandhaa R2747Nepomniachtchi,I2758½–½2024C42FIDE Candidates 20245.1
Firouzja,A2760Nakamura,H27890–12024C54FIDE Candidates 20245.2
Gukesh D2743Abasov,N26321–02024C43FIDE Candidates 20245.3
Vidit,S2727Caruana,F2803½–½2024B30FIDE Candidates 20245.4
Nepomniachtchi,I2758Caruana,F2803½–½2024C47FIDE Candidates 20246.1
Gukesh D2743Nakamura,H2789½–½2024B27FIDE Candidates 20246.2
Vidit,S2727Firouzja,A27601–02024B57FIDE Candidates 20246.3
Praggnanandhaa R2747Abasov,N26321–02024D40FIDE Candidates 20246.4
Firouzja,A2760Gukesh D27431–02024D02FIDE Candidates 20247.1
Nakamura,H2789Nepomniachtchi,I2758½–½2024C42FIDE Candidates 20247.2
Caruana,F2803Praggnanandhaa R2747½–½2024C02FIDE Candidates 20247.3
Abasov,N2632Vidit,S2727½–½2024C65FIDE Candidates 20247.4
Praggnanandhaa R2747Firouzja,A2760½–½2024B47FIDE Candidates 20248.1
Vidit,S2727Gukesh D27430–12024C55FIDE Candidates 20248.2
Nakamura,H2789Caruana,F28031–02024C78FIDE Candidates 20248.3
Nepomniachtchi,I2758Abasov,N2632½–½2024C01FIDE Candidates 20248.4
Vidit,S2727Nakamura,H27891–02024C55FIDE Candidates 20249.1
Gukesh D2743Praggnanandhaa R2747½–½2024C77FIDE Candidates 20249.2
Firouzja,A2760Nepomniachtchi,I2758½–½2024A07FIDE Candidates 20249.3
Abasov,N2632Caruana,F2803½–½2024E40FIDE Candidates 20249.4
Praggnanandhaa R2747Vidit,S2727½–½2024C65FIDE Candidates 202410.1
Nakamura,H2789Abasov,N26321–02024B22FIDE Candidates 202410.2
Nepomniachtchi,I2758Gukesh D2743½–½2024C70FIDE Candidates 202410.3
Caruana,F2803Firouzja,A27601–02024B90FIDE Candidates 202410.4
Praggnanandhaa R2747Nakamura,H27890–12024D06FIDE Candidates 202411.1
Vidit,S2727Nepomniachtchi,I27580–12024C42FIDE Candidates 202411.2
Gukesh D2743Caruana,F2803½–½2024D35FIDE Candidates 202411.3
Firouzja,A2760Abasov,N26321–02024D04FIDE Candidates 202411.4
Nepomniachtchi,I2758Praggnanandhaa R2747½–½2024C01FIDE Candidates 202412.1
Nakamura,H2789Firouzja,A27601–02024C01FIDE Candidates 202412.2
Abasov,N2632Gukesh D27430–12024E32FIDE Candidates 202412.3
Caruana,F2803Vidit,S27271–02024C54FIDE Candidates 202412.4
Nepomniachtchi,I2758Nakamura,H2789½–½2024C64FIDE Candidates 202413.1
Praggnanandhaa R2747Caruana,F28030–12024B30FIDE Candidates 202413.2
Vidit,S2727Abasov,N2632½–½2024C42FIDE Candidates 202413.3
Gukesh D2743Firouzja,A27601–02024C65FIDE Candidates 202413.4
Nakamura,H2789Gukesh D2743½–½2024E51FIDE Candidates 202414.1
Caruana,F2803Nepomniachtchi,I2758½–½2024D35FIDE Candidates 202414.2
Firouzja,A2760Vidit,S2727½–½2024C67FIDE Candidates 202414.3
Abasov,N2632Praggnanandhaa R27470–12024E69FIDE Candidates 202414.4

Fabiano Caruana and Vaishali at the press conference

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Carlos Colodro is a Hispanic Philologist from Bolivia. He works as a freelance translator and writer since 2012. A lot of his work is done in chess-related texts, as the game is one of his biggest interests, along with literature and music.

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