Candidates Chess R12: Nakamura, Nepomniachtchi, Gukesh on top

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In round 12 of the Candidates Chess Tournament Hikaru Nakamura scored his third consecutive victory, this time against Alireza Firouzja, to leap forward and catch Ian Nepomniachtchi on the top of the standings. Gukesh Dommaraju is also back in the shared lead after defeating Nijat Abasov.

Fabiano Caruana retained some hope for qualification to World Championship by defeating Vidit Gujrathi and staying half a point behind the leaders.

In the Women’s Candidates Tournament Tan Zhongyi escaped from lost position against Nurgyul Salimova and retained half a point lead ahead of her compatriot Lei Tingjie, who missed the winning advantage against Kateryna Lagno.

After the final rest day, round 13 will be on Saturday from 2:30pm Toronto time.

Watch the recap by IM Kostya Kavutskiy:

Standings after Round 12:

Open:

1-3. Gukesh, Nakamura, Nepomniachtchi – 7.5

4. Caruana – 7
5. Praggnanandhaa – 6
6. Vidit – 5
7. Firouzja – 4.5
8. Abasov – 3

Women’s:

1. Tan – 8
2. Lei – 7.5
   3-5. Goryachkina, Koneru, Lagno – 6
3. Vaishali – 5.5
   7-8. A. Muzychuk, Salimova – 4.5

Round 13 pairings:

Open:
Nepomniachtchi – Nakamura
Praggnanandhaa – Caruana
Vidit – Abasov
Gukesh – Firouzja

Women’s:
Salimova – Lagno
Tan – Goryachkina
Koneru – A. Muzychuk
Vaishali – Lei