FIDE Candidates Round 4 Recap: Ian Nepomniachtchi Takes the Lead
The 2024 FIDE Candidates Tournament brought exciting developments in Round 4. Ian Nepomniachtchi, the winner of the previous two Candidates tournaments, moved into the sole lead with a crucial win, while the other three games of the Open section ended in draws. The Women's section also had just one decisive game, with Nurgyul Salimova securing her first tournament win against Humpy Koneru. As the remaining games ended in draws, Tan Zhongyi remained in the lead with 3/4 points.
In the Open section, Rameshbabu Praggnanadhaa and Hikaru Nakamura squared off on board 1 in a Ruy Lopez opening. The game was short and peaceful, ending in a draw by threefold repetition on the 24th move.
Board 2 was the highlight of the day, with former World Championship challenger Ian Nepomniachtchi clinching a much-desired victory against Indian GM Vidit Gujrathi.
On board 3, Gukesh D secured an extra pawn in the middlegame against Fabiano Caruana. However, converting this advantage in a Queen and Pawn endgame proved to be impossible, and the game concluded peacefully. Similarly, Firouzja's attempts to break Abasov’s defense were fruitless. Despite a spirited effort, he never gained an advantage, and after a tough but equal battle, a draw was agreed upon on move 64.
In the Women's Candidates, Aleksandra Goryachkina aimed for an edge against Rameshbabu Vaishali on board 1, but the Indian GM-to-be held strong. The tension soon dissipated, and the game ended in a draw.
On board 2, China's Tan Zhongyi narrowly escaped a seemingly hopeless endgame against Kateryna Lagno, preserving her lead. With two passed pawns in a Q+B endgame, Kateryna Lagno had great chances to defeat the tournament leader, but she repeatedly missed her opportunities, ultimately allowing the Chinese GM to equalize the game.
The third board saw Nurgyul Salimova celebrating a confident victory over Humpy Koneru. Bouncing back from a loss in the previous round, this win serves as a great boost for her ambitions. The final game between Muzychuk and Lei Tinjie featured an intriguing Rook vs. 2 Pawns endgame, which we'll delve into in more detail.
Game Annotations by Zaven Andriasyan
Photos by Michal Walusza / FIDE Flickr Page