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Firouzja Falls At Last Candidates Hurdle

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Firouzja Falls At Last Candidates Hurdle

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GM Alireza Firouzja had overtaken GM Wesley So on the reside score record after scoring 5/5 in a collection of three matches towards veterans in his house chess membership of Chartres. Alas for the 20-year-old, he had another recreation to play, and a draw from a misplaced place towards GM Sergey Fedorchuk noticed him drop behind So once more within the race to qualify for the FIDE Candidates Chess Match 2024 in Toronto, Canada. Is it over, or is there one other twist to come back? 

The Candidates Race Descends Into Chaos

The Candidates match is an eight-player occasion subsequent April that may resolve who faces reigning Chinese language World Chess Champion Ding Liren within the subsequent world championship match. The primary six locations have been determined with out controversy, besides that world number-one Magnus Carlsen has stated he won’t take the spot he gained for successful the FIDE World Cup, leaving an opportunity of a lifetime for GM Nijat Abasov. 










# Participant FED

Score Age Certified By
1 Ian Nepomniachtchi FIDE 2771 33 World Championship Runner-Up
2 Praggnanandhaa R India 2740 18 World Cup Runner-Up
3 Fabiano Caruana United States 2794 31 World Cup third
4 Nijat Abasov Azerbaijan 2641 28 World Cup 4th
5 Vidit Gujrathi India 2737 29 Grand Swiss Winner
6 Hikaru Nakamura United States 2788 36 Grand Swiss Runner-Up

The ultimate two spots, nevertheless, have seen an thrilling race that has at occasions descended into pure farce as we have reached the end line. The very best abstract in a single picture is the meme posted by GM Fabiano Caruana or his podcast co-host GM Cristian Chirila. 

It is humorous as a result of it is (virtually) true. Caruana has an enormous lead within the remaining two methods to qualify—through the FIDE Circuit or by score—however would not want them, as he certified through the World Cup.

The FIDE Circuit spot, based mostly on a participant’s 5 finest ends in 2023, had GM Anish Giri‘s, particularly after Gukesh Dommaraju didn’t win the London Chess Traditional, however then a brand new occasion appeared—the Chennai Grand Masters. That was unapologetically billed as an opportunity for Gukesh and GM Arjun Erigaisi to qualify for the Candidates, which served because the “catalyst” for the organizers to satisfy a long-term dream of organizing a super-tournament in India.

The mission succeeded, with the 2 gamers tying for first, taking Gukesh forward of Giri within the race.

There could possibly be a late twist within the World Fast and Blitz Championships in Samarkand, Uzbekistan that runs December 26-30, however it may take a heroic feat to alter the established order. Giri wants to complete first to 3rd within the Fast, or solely sole first within the Blitz, to overhaul Gukesh. For Arjun, solely successful the Fast will do.

Gukesh stated he’d given up on the Candidates after a tricky few months, however now he is virtually house and dry. Photograph: Maria Emelianova/Chess.com.

Meaning we will count on Gukesh to change into the third Indian participant within the 2024 Candidates, whereas the ultimate score spot, largely predictably, has led to chaos. For earlier qualification cycles to the Candidates, the spot was based mostly on the common score over a calendar yr, which had some massive drawbacks: it significantly elevated the importance of your score and outcomes early within the yr, and it inspired not enjoying close to the tip when you have been well-placed.          

Nonetheless, these drawbacks seem small in comparison with the choice to take solely the January 2024 score under consideration, which has left a bunch of gamers shut sufficient that it could really feel reckless to not make some try to achieve these factors, in some way. So emerged from the Sinquefield Cup with a lead, however GM Leinier Dominguez, solely some extent behind, set off to Spain to play the Chessable Sunway Sitges open. The stress and score peril of enjoying a lot lower-rated gamers informed, nevertheless, and Dominguez withdrew on the midway level after dropping score factors.

Was So secure? Not but! Firouzja, who had been larger rated all yr till a foul Sinquefield Cup, determined to make a late bid for the Candidates.

Firouzja Plots Path To Candidates, Controversy Ensues

The identical day after Dominguez withdrew, it turned out that Firouzja would begin an occasion fastidiously crafted to present him a shot on the Candidates. Giri, who quipped he might play some video games towards his spouse IM Sopiko Guramishvili, rapidly labelled Firouzja’s method “farming.”

Firouzja’s native chess membership had organized for him to play two-game matches towards three gamers: 

  • 52-year-old GM Alexandre Dgebuadze, a former Georgian and four-time Belgium Champion, with a peak score of 2563 and a present score of 2439

  • 51-year-old French GM Andrei Shchekachev, with a peak score of 2593 and present score of 2506    

  • 42-year-old Ukrainian GM Sergey Fedorchuk, with a peak score 2674, and a score of 2640 in January 2023 which had plummeted to 2546 by December

There can be 90 minutes for every recreation, with a 30-second increment per transfer, and the revolution can be televized on Chartres TV. The one rating that might do for Firouzja to complete forward of So was 6/6, except he would cease the match after reaching 5/5.

A method or one other it was certain to be compelling viewing.

The matches had barely began earlier than folks have been complaining, led by So, who halfway via the occasion shut down his Twitter/X account after closely hinting that Firouzja’s opponents have been dropping on goal. FIDE additionally rushed to remark, highlighting that they may resolve to not charge the video games.

In the present day, on December 18, the mini-matches that includes GM Alireza Firouzja (Elo 2750) started in Chartres, France – his hometown. This eight-game match pits Firouzja towards three veteran gamers with a mean score of 2497 Elo factors. Considerations have arisen concerning the match’s potential goal: whether or not it was orchestrated to help Mr Firouzja in boosting his score for potential qualification into the Candidates Match 2024.

The Worldwide Chess Federation want to level out that, in accordance with Clause 0.4 of its Score Laws, “FIDE reserves the best to not charge a particular match”.

FIDE has already despatched an official request to the organizers of the occasion. We’ll fastidiously comply with and examine all points of the group of the above-mentioned match and all of the video games performed by its contributors earlier than deciding whether or not to charge it.

The Worldwide Chess Federation is devoted to addressing not simply this particular case but in addition related occurrences that will come up. Discussions shall be held to discover potential amendments to the FIDE Score Laws, aiming to stop such conditions sooner or later.

FIDE reiterates its unwavering dedication to upholding honest play and making certain equal alternatives for all chess gamers.

To say that opened a can of worms can be an understatement. In fact the match was designed to present Firouzja an opportunity on the Candidates, as was the occasion in Chennai, whereas numerous “norm” tournaments every year pit bold younger title-seekers towards veteran grandmasters. There was additionally the case of the present World Champion Ding. That was raised by the participant he received the match towards, GM Ian Nepomniachtchi.

Many identified that Ding hadn’t wanted to achieve score factors however simply play sufficient video games to be eligible together with his current score, however however—the occasions that have been organized for him to play the video games and hold his score have been very uncommon. 

A typical sentiment was that organizing such occasions was one thing that FIDE’s new qualification route made inevitable, and never one thing responsible on the gamers.

The fast response by FIDE to forged aspersions on this specific case drew anger from French grandmasters, particularly contemplating the present FIDE management had simply proven a complete lack of disgrace by going again on its election guarantees and giving incumbent President Arkady Dvorkovich the best to face for a vast variety of phrases.

The escalation continued as U.S. Chess Federation President Randy Bauer appealed to FIDE to not charge the occasion in France.

Worldwide Arbiter Chris Fowl made one of the measured responses, stating that the French match was unremarkable among the many occasions which are recurrently authorized for score functions.

For a lot of, nevertheless, the chaos was a supply of enjoyable.

Because the circus rolled on, and on, Firouzja had some chess to play in Chartres.

The Video games

Recreation 1: Firouzja 1-0 Dgebuadze

The video games that adopted in Chartres poured oil on the fireplace of the controversy, beginning with Dgebuadze staying devoted to a dangerous system of the French Protection that did not fill So with pleasure, particularly when Black was near misplaced on transfer 15. Giri, in the meantime, was nostalgic. 

It was an attention-grabbing recreation, and has been analyzed by GM Rafael Leitao under. 

Conspiracy theorists would have extra to work with within the upcoming video games.

Recreation 2: Dgebuadze 0-1 Firouzja

All the talk about this recreation centred round an trade sacrifice performed at a second when there was a tough, however not too tough for a grandmaster, strategy to hold the fabric steadiness.

It was one match down, two to go. 

Recreation 3: Firouzja 1-0 Shchekachev
A brand new day, a brand new opponent, and it was time to get critical.

This time there was no avoiding controversy, since Shchekachev resigned able which turned out to be drawn. 

Our resident professional Leitao once more takes a glance. 

Recreation 4: Shchekachev 0-1 Firouzja

There have been two video games on the identical day, and shortly it was 4/4, with a Greek reward sacrifice that was renamed by an internet commentator.

Leitao once more takes a better have a look at the sport.

Recreation 5: Fedorchuk 0-1 Firouzja

This was a giant recreation, since a win would take Firouzja forward of So on the reside score record. Fedorchuk additionally represented the next degree of problem, with the 42-year-old Ukrainian to not be underestimated.

Alas, he did not present that high quality within the first recreation, with 32.Rb5?? an absolute howler, working into 32…Ne2+! and 33…Nc3, forking the 2 white rooks and successful the sport. 

It was mission completed, however put Firouzja in an ungainly dilemma.

If Firouzja stopped the match—maybe claiming ill-health—he would finish the match, and sure the yr, forward of So and qualify for the Candidates if, and it is a massive if, FIDE rated the occasion. The withdrawal would possible decrease the possibilities of that taking place, however then once more, would FIDE need to danger a lawsuit the place Firouzja would argue his proper to play?

Giri felt a phrase utilized by Dominguez in pulling out of Sitges might need been reemployed. 

As an alternative Firouzja did the honorable factor and performed what was a must-win recreation with the white items. The result was good for the honour of the match, however was a bit just like the restricted success of a witch proving they don’t seem to be a witch by drowning.

Recreation 6: Firouzja ½-½ Fedorchuk

When Fedorchuk performed the Sicilian it felt like thus far, so good, however by transfer 12 queens have been exchanged, and Giri was quickly praising Fedorchuk’s play.

The web waited for the tide to show and Firouzja by some means to emerge with a successful place… but it surely by no means occurred. Actually, because the clocks ran down and neither participant had a lot time to suppose, it was White who was in bother as Firouzja tried to make one thing occur. As an alternative he overpushed and was dropping, which might value 7.8 score factors and slam the Candidates door shut. Then, nevertheless, he provided a draw which, after some thought, Fedorchuk accepted.

Firouzja’s controversial journey had led to failure—a mere 5.5/6—a minimum of for now.

Firouzja wants simply 0.4 score factors in order that his score and So’s shall be rounded to 2757 on January 1. Picture: 2700chess.

That leaves one query.

What Now?

With the Candidates qualification balanced on a knife-edge, will Firouzja cease now and concede defeat? Many identified {that a} fourth Christmas match is scheduled in Chartres, for Saturday December 23.

It is unclear if that match was initially purported to function Firouzja, however for now the gamers are actually on account of be Fedorchuk, once more, taking up his 25-year-old compatriot IM Yuliia Osmak.

Nonetheless, if for any purpose both of these gamers was unable to play, Firouzja would possibly make a keen alternative—he would overtake So once more with a 2/2 win.

In fact nothing is stopping the three-time American Champion from enjoying himself. Some uncommon ideas have been made!

For as soon as our chess Christmas isn’t just concerning the World Fast and Blitz Championships, although it is value noting that Firouzja is because of play in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on December 26. There’s solely so lengthy he can proceed the Candidates battle.



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