After 11 rounds, mid-last week, Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi, 33, with 7 points, was in the lead at the Open World Championship Candidates Tournament currently underway in Toronto, Canada. Following closely on his heels were India’s Dommaraju Gukesh, 17, and the USA’s Hikaru Nakamura, 36, with 6.5 points each.
The tournament, which started on April 4, could end today after the final round is played. However, tomorrow has been earmarked for playoffs, if necessary.
Nepomniachtchi has won the two previous editions of the Candidates, and if he triumphs in this one, he would create a record that would be difficult to equal or surpass. Actually, I have never heard of any player winning a Candidates’ Tournament three times in succession.
Nepomniachtchi won the Candidates in 2021/2022 at Yekaterinburg and in 2023 at Madrid. In both instances he was the leader in the competition. In the last six Candidates’ Tournaments from London 2013 to Madrid 2022, the player leading after four rounds has always won.
In the Women’s section of the Candidates, Tan Zhongyi was leading with 7.5 points. In second place was Lei Tingjie with 7 points. Lei scored four victories in five rounds.
Meanwhile, congratulations to Queen’s College student Aditi Joshi for leading in the qualification tournament for the Women’s National Championship.
