"The 11-round $625,000 Fide Grand Swiss, which began on Thursday in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, the capital of the Silk Road, will decide two of the eight qualifiers for next year's world title Candidates. India has a strong hand, as the world champion, Gukesh Dommaraju (ineligible to qualify), is joined by the world No 4, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, the world No 5, Arjun Erigaisi, and the world No 27, Vidit Gujrathi, who won the 2023 Grand Swiss in Douglas, Isle of Man."
"Praggnanandhaa is already well placed to qualify via the 2025 Fide congress circuit, from which the world No 3, Fabiano Caruana, qualified in 2024. There is also a Candidates spot for the highest Fide-rated player, subject to completing 40 rated classical games. The world No 2, Hikaru Nakamura, who still needed 22 of the 40 after eight in the American Cup and 10 in Stavanger,"
"In Thursday's opening round at Samarkand there was a high percentage of draws, with a star performance by Gukesh as Black against France's No 3, Etienne Bacrot. In the early 2020s when Gukesh was rising to the top, his major strength was performing well in Swisses. Again he handled the game impeccably, grinding down his opponent and producing an exchange sacrifice at the right moment. Could this be the tour"
The 11-round $625,000 Fide Grand Swiss in Samarkand will award two Candidates spots toward the eight-player 2026 Candidates. India fields several top players including world champion Gukesh Dommaraju (ineligible), world No 4 Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, No 5 Arjun Erigaisi, and No 27 Vidit Gujrathi. Praggnanandhaa is well placed to qualify via the 2025 Fide congress circuit. A Candidates berth also exists for the highest Fide-rated player after 40 rated classical games, a path pursued controversially by Hikaru Nakamura through state championship events. Caruana, Nakamura, and Praggnanandhaa are almost assured of qualification. The World Cup in Goa will supply three qualifiers.
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]