Gukesh wins Candidates: Here’s a round-by-round recap of how 17-year-old Indian Grandmaster scripted history

After 14 gruelling rounds, India’s D Gukesh emerged as the Candidate for the World Championship match. It was a journey filled with ups and downs, a couple of assists along the way from his fellow countrymen, and a turning point that could have actually been a morale-crushing moment. Here’s how Gukesh went on to become the youngest Candidates winner of all time:

R1: Gukesh D ½-½ Vidit Santosh Gujrathi

With FIDE pairing up compatriots in the early rounds to avoid any possibilities of a collusion, Gukesh began his tournament with a 21-move draw against Vidit Gujrathi. It was a day when 7 out of the 8 matches ended in a draw. The calm before the storm.

R2: Praggnanandhaa R 0-1 Gukesh D

It was another all-India clash for Gukesh next and this time he forced Pragg to resign after 33 moves. And in hindsight, a significant result elsewhere as Vidit Gujrathi, playing with black pieces, ended Nakamura’s 47-game unbeaten streak.

R3: Gukesh D ½-½ Ian Nepomniachtchi

The first major test for Gukesh as he took on two-time World Championships challenger, and held him to a 40-move draw. The result meant Gukesh stayed at the top with Nepo and Caruana.

R4: Fabiano Caruana ½-½ Gukesh D

Going up against the highest-rated player at the event, Gukesh showed he can last the distance in a 73-move draw. The experienced Caruana demonstrated creative defense but Gukesh, battling with black pieces, showed precise game control that was a decisive factor in his title challenge. Nepo went into sole lead but Gukesh stayed in touch.

R5: Gukesh D 1-0 Nijat Abasov

A marathon effort! Gukesh defeated Nijat Abasov in a queen endgame, after almost six hours and 87 moves. With Pragg holding Nepo for a draw, Gukesh was back in a joint lead. After the win he was asked who he was most afraid of playing. He took a second to compose his response. “No one,” he said before breaking into a rare smile.

R6: Gukesh D ½-½ Hikaru Nakamura

A preview to the finale, a harbinger of things to come in Round 14 perhaps. Gukesh held Nakamura in 40 moves, while Nepo and Caruana played out a draw earlier. But under completely different circumstances of course, as none of the four had to force a win at this point. Gukesh and Nepo stayed at the top.

R7: Alireza Firouzja 1-0 Gukesh D

The turning point, according to Gukesh. It is remarkable how a 17-year-old dealt with a crushing moment. In a match he was up a pawn and pressing his opponent, he miscalculated under time pressure. He had his head in hands at the end but quickly recouped composure to shake hands after a heartbreak. “If I had to pinpoint when I really felt this could be my moment was probably after I lost to Firouzja. I was actually quite upset but during the rest day I already felt so good. Even though I just had a painful loss, I was feeling at my absolute best. I don’t know, maybe that loss gave me so much motivation,” Gukesh said on Sunday.

Pure devastation for Gukesh, who instead of taking the sole lead LOSES the game in time trouble!https://t.co/kphUkHByii#FIDECandidates pic.twitter.com/u7ClIpUgxM

— chess24 (@chess24com) April 11, 2024

R8: Vidit Santosh Gujrathi 0-1 Gukesh D

Gukesh bounced back quickly to retake joint lead. A surprisingly comfortable win for Gukesh in black in 38 moves against Vidit, and a shock draw for Nepo against bottom-of-the-table Abasov.

R9: Gukesh D ½-½ Praggnanandhaa R

While Nepo managed to pull off a jailbreak against Firouzja for a draw, it was a solid outing for Gukesh as he and his fellow Chennai teen played out a stalemate too in 40 moves. The headliner for this round was a second win for Vidit against Nakamura which, once again in hindsight, was a critical piece of assist for Gukesh.

R10: Ian Nepomniachtchi ½-½ Gukesh D

At this point, it was a must-not-lose contest for both Gukesh and Nepo at the top of the standings and they stayed together after playing a 40-move draw. “I was Black, and he played a solid game, so it was a fair result. I am in good shape and hopefully it can continue in the last [few] games,” the Indian had said.

R11: Gukesh D ½-½ Fabiano Caruana

It felt like the day the Open section made a decisive turn as, into the business end of the tournament, Nepo took the sole lead after beating Vidit in a marathon match. Gukesh’s 40-move draw against Caruana was a solid result but with little time left, Nepo – with all his experience – seemed favourite.

R12: Nijat Abasov 0-1 Gukesh D

And then Round 12 happened. A series of results set up a stunning finale, with Pragg holding Nepo as the only drawn match. It was a critical performance too, with Nepo perhaps playing this a little too safe. Playing with black and needing to force a win, a brave Gukesh handed Abasov his first defeat with white. It took a surprise opening, a well-thought-out series of first 14 moves, and a solid end-game, as he displayed maturity that belied his age. Suddenly, three men were level at the top and Caruana was at their heels. A blockbuster finish.

R13: Gukesh D 1-0 Alireza Firouzja

With Nakamura and Nepo ending in a draw, the ball was in Gukesh’s court and he pressed for a superb win against Firouzja despite a sluggish start, punishing an over-optimistic Frenchman. It was redemption for the Round 7 defeat and with one game to go the Indian was in the sole lead. “It’s like some sort of a movie,” Caruana – who beat Pragg to put himself joint-second – said. Indeed, a thrilling climax with Gukesh having destiny in his own hands.

R14: Hikaru Nakamura ½-½ Gukesh D

Four title contenders, all facing off against each other. With an extremely solid game, Gukesh was in complete control against Nakamura in a match the American had to win but couldn’t force his way despite playing white. All eyes were on the crazy Caruana-Nepo game where the former was on the brink of a win. Gukesh seemed destined for a tiebreak with the American who blundered in move 41 and Nepo managed to play out a draw in a result that favoured neither of them. Gukesh, who had been stoic all through, said he was very emotional following the other game. He gave up and went on a walk when his father came and delivered the news. The rest is history.

– With inputs from Amit Kamath

Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.