Javokhir Sindarov Dominates Candidates Tournament with Record-Setting Victory Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan secured a decisive victory in the Candidates tournament in Cyprus, defeating Hikaru Nakamura after a grueling 67 minutes and 44 seconds of analysis by the American grandmaster. The win came just two days after Sindarov had stunned the chess world by defeating top favorite Fabiano Caruana, marking a pivotal moment in the competition. Sindarov, a 20-year-old prodigy, employed the triangular Marshall system—a strategy he had meticulously prepared during his rest day. He explained to FIDE that he had dedicated significant time to studying the Marshall line against Nakamura, anticipating the American’s potential moves. “Yesterday I had a lot of time to prepare Marshall line against him… He probably forgot the move after knight g3 castle,” Sindarov remarked, highlighting his confidence in his preparation. The game unfolded as Nakamura attempted to lure Sindarov into a Gambit, a tactic the Uzbek player had already anticipated. “I tried to not miss small tactics and checked everything with black so I had time,” Sindarov said, emphasizing his thoroughness. When Nakamura opted for d4 instead of the expected Italian or Lopez openings, Sindarov remained unfazed. “I was prepared for it,” he added, underscoring his strategic readiness. Nakamura’s prolonged hesitation became a defining moment of the game. After over an hour of deliberation, the American settled on h4, a move that Sindarov described as suboptimal. “I thought knight d4 was the only move giving advantage,” Sindarov said, surprised by Nakamura’s choice. “I was already better, plus I had one hour extra,” he noted, reflecting on his positional advantage.#fide #candidates_tournament #fabiano_caruana #hikaru_nakamura #javokhir_sindarov
Candidates Chess: Fabiano Caruana Steady Yet Unconvincing Fabiano Caruana’s performance in the Candidates tournament has been marked by consistency but lacking the decisive clarity needed to secure a title. Despite a computer evaluation suggesting a decisive advantage of +7 at one point, the Italian grandmaster ultimately split a point with Gukesh, allowing the latter to advance to the title clash. Caruana’s resilience in the face of high-level competition remains evident, yet his recent struggles with decision-making have raised questions about his ability to capitalize on opportunities. Caruana’s history in the Candidates stage is notable. In 2018, he defeated Alexander Grischuk in the final round to earn the right to challenge Magnus Carlsen, a feat that underscored his tactical acumen and preparation. He is also one of only four players to have surpassed an Elo rating of 2825, a testament to his peak performance. However, his achievements have been tempered by the passage of time, as his current form appears to lag behind his historical standards. The tournament’s structure has highlighted Caruana’s strengths and weaknesses. While his positional understanding and ability to calculate complex positions remain sharp, his decision-making has occasionally faltered, leading to missed opportunities. This trend has been evident in his recent Candidates appearances, where he has consistently finished in the top five but rarely claimed outright victories. For instance, in the 2023 event, he placed fifth, and his head-to-head record against his seven rivals in the Candidates cycle stands at exactly +4, reflecting a balanced but unremarkable performance. Caruana’s journey through the Candidates tournaments since his debut in 2016 has been defined by consistency.#candidates_tournament #fabiano_caruana #gukesh #magnus_carlsen #alexander_grischuk
India Chess Grandmaster Koneru Humpy Withdraws From Candidates Tournament In Cyprus Amid Safety Concerns Indian chess grandmaster Koneru Humpy has confirmed her decision to withdraw from the Candidates tournament in Cyprus, citing safety concerns linked to the ongoing Gulf conflict. The 27-year-old, a two-time World Rapid champion and one of four Indian players set to compete in the event, stated that participating in the tournament amid heightened regional tensions would not be "peaceful." She emphasized that the island's proximity to volatile areas and the presence of military assets made it unsafe for her to travel, particularly as a woman. Humpy’s withdrawal comes after a drone strike on a UK military base in the region raised alarms. She explained that the situation posed significant risks, especially for foreign participants. "You can't play surrounded by warships," she said, referring to the military presence on Cyprus. "If a foreigner like me, and being a woman, has to travel for such an important tournament, how can I play peacefully?" She added that the event’s location, near Lebanon and Israel, further compounded her concerns, noting that the Cyprus president had recently raised issues about the UK base with the European Union. Despite the withdrawal, Humpy stated she is not deterred by potential penalties from the International Chess Federation (FIDE). She dismissed fears that her decision would be financially costly, asserting that she is not playing for monetary gain. "I'm not scared about the penalty," she said. "I'm not playing just for money or monetary benefits. I just enjoy the sport." Humpy revealed she had spent three months preparing for the tournament, sacrificing personal time with her daughter.#india #cyprus #fide #koneru_humpy #candidates_tournament
