Sinquefield Cup 2024, Round 2: Challengers fight, Firouzja maintains lead
On a day of all draws, GM Alireza Firouzja maintained his half-point lead over the field in round two of the 2024 Sinquefield Cup. GM Gukesh Dommaraju created the most winning chances when he faced GM Ian Nepomniachtchi in our Match of the Day.
The Sinquefield Cup will start with the third round on Wednesday, August 21, 2:00 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. CEST / 11:30 p.m. IST.
Table after round 2
Gukesh vs. Nepomniachtchi ½-½
In the middlegame, Gukesh built on his kingside superiority to gain the upper hand against Nepomniachtchi in the center. He spoke about his state of mind after the game: “Throughout the game I felt like I was in full control. Probably not winning, but it was very uncomfortable for him.” GM Rafael Leitao analyzes their spirited battle below.
Have you ever been dying to talk to your opponent after a game ended? Both Gukesh and Ian Nepomniachtchi couldn’t wait to discuss the variations after their game ended in a draw. #Sinquefieldcup #Grandchesstour #Chess #gukeshd #IanNepomniachtchi #Chessplayer pic.twitter.com/sa8NrTtIFj
— Grand Chess Tour (@GrandChessTour) 20 August 2024
Abdusattorov vs Firouzja ½-½
GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov looked for winning opportunities in Spanish Chess, but Firouzja was able to fend off his opponent’s attempts. The Uzbek grandmaster looked back on the encounter:
I prepared this line against the Berlin Defense, but I think he knew the details very well. I felt I could have something, but White has to play very precisely: engine-like precision. I failed to build pressure.
I think he knew the details very well.
―Nodirbek Abdusattorov
Giri vs Ding ½-½
GM Ding Liren found a picturesque 17th move to force a perpetual check in a miniature game against GM Anish Giri, thus proving parity with the black pieces.
So against Caruana ½-½
In their 50th classical duel against each other, GM Wesley So hoped to exploit his white advantage against GM Fabiano Caruana. But their duel in the Nimzo-Indian Defense remained evenly matched throughout. So shared:
I didn’t really see many ideas, but I was hoping. Also, Fabi started to take a lot of time and he lost yesterday, so I thought: maybe, if I’m lucky. But that’s not really the case.
Both players played quite accurately, so that neither was able to tip the balance in their favor.
Vachier-Lagrave against Praggnanandhaa ½-½
GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave tried to gain an advantage from the Italian Game against GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu. In the end, the 19-year-old grandmaster undoubtedly kept the balance. Vachier-Lagrave said:
Basically it’s the Italian. You can play it a thousand times, but there’s always a certain subtlety… It’s not much. I thought maybe I’d give it a try, but then I thought: yes, try what?
Sometimes you want a slower game to provoke more mistakes. That’s what I wanted to achieve.
Sometimes you want a slower game to provoke more mistakes. That’s what I wanted to achieve.
―Vachier-Lagrave
In round three, Firouzja will have white for the first time in the tournament when he faces Vachier-Lagrave. We will see a battle between Indian prodigies, Praggnanandhaa against Gukesh. Also, the world champion will have the white pieces against So.
The 2024 Sinquefield Cup is the final leg and final classical event of the 2024 Grand Chess Tour. Ten players will compete in a classical single round robin tournament for their share of $350,000 in prize money.
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