In Chess, India’s D Gukesh managed to secure victory over Nijat Abasov in the fifth round of FIDE Candidates at Toronto, Canada last night. Gukesh, the second youngest player ever to compete at the prestigious Candidates tournament, is now the joint leader in the Open category with Ian Nepomniachtchi at 3.5 points.
Meanwhile, Gukesh’s compatriots Praggnanandhaa and Vidit Gujrathi were both held to draws by heavily favoured opponents. Both players were in the driver’s seat at various points of their games, but could not press on to seize the victory. While Pragg was held to a draw by two-time Candidates winner Ian Nepomniachtchi, Vidit was held by World No 2 Fabiano Caruana.