D Gukesh Takes Sole Lead in FIDE Candidates Tournament, Nears World Championship Spot

In the 2024 FIDE Candidates tournament, 17-year-old Indian chess prodigy D Gukesh has taken the sole lead with just one round left to play. Gukesh defeated Alireza Firouzja in Round 13 to surge ahead, with two-time Candidates winner Ian Nepomniachtchi, Fabiano Caruana, and Hikaru Nakamura trailing him by just half a point.

Gukesh's win over Firouzja puts him at 8.5 points out of a possible 13, placing him half a point ahead of Nepomniachtchi, Nakamura, and Caruana. The victory also avenged Gukesh's earlier loss to the World No. 6 in the seventh round.

Why this matters: If Gukesh wins the Candidates tournament, he will become the youngest ever World Chess Championship contender and have the opportunity to challenge reigning champion Ding Liren for the title. His success could inspire a new generation of young chess players in India and around the world.

The final round will see Gukesh facing Nakamura with the black pieces, while Nepomniachtchi takes on Caruana. If Gukesh wins against Nakamura, he will secure a spot in the World Chess Championship to challenge China's Ding Liren. A draw might be enough for Gukesh to secure at least a tie-break, while a loss could open the door for Nakamura, Caruana, or Nepomniachtchi to win the tournament.

In the women's section, 22-year-old Indian player Vaishali Rameshbabu has won four games in a row to bounce back after a difficult stretch. Vaishali defeated China's Lei Tingjie in Round 13 and is now tied for third place with 6.5 points. Tan Zhongyi of China leads the women's event with 8.5 points.

The Candidates tournament is a grueling test of skill and endurance, with 14 rounds played over three weeks. The winner will face a daunting challenge against Ding Liren, who has held the world title since defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi in 2023. But for now, all eyes are on Gukesh as he stands on the brink of making history. "Gukesh is the real deal," said Viswanathan Anand, India's first ever world champion. "He has shown incredible poise and fighting spirit throughout this tournament."

Key Takeaways

• D Gukesh, 17, leads FIDE Candidates 2024 with 1 round left.
• Gukesh defeated Firouzja, avenging earlier loss; now half-point ahead.
• If Gukesh wins, he'll be youngest World Chess Championship contender.
• Vaishali Rameshbabu, 22, tied 3rd in women's event with 6.5 points.
• Ding Liren is reigning world champion, Gukesh aims to challenge him.