Who's Gonna Win? Candidates Round 13 Recap (Open and Women)

Introduction

As we close the curtains on a thrilling Round 13 in the FIDE Candidates Tournament being held at the Great Hall in Toronto, Canada, we have an even more thrilling round 14 ahead of us. Below I've recapped each of the results in all 8 games.

Recap of All Games

Open Section

Nepomniachtchi-Nakamura 1/2-1/2

Both Nepo and Nakamura were tied for first going into the penultimate round, and they made a quick draw in 27 moves with both of them playing around 97-98% accuracy. They went into a Spanish with Hikaru revealing some prep with 4...Bc5 (which is not popular among the top games seen today). Nepo did have an advantage of +1 at a certain point but Hikaru defended solid like a rock in order to hold the game. https://lichess.org/broadcast/fide-candidates-2024--open/round-13/Dc0DQMaQ/oblbJJh8

Gujrathi-Abasov 1/2-1/2

These two players were in the second half of the standings coming into this round. Though they were mathematically out of contention for the top spot they still played a perfect game and also went for a quick draw by repetition in 31 moves. https://lichess.org/broadcast/fide-candidates-2024--open/round-13/Dc0DQMaQ/nRGbe0nL

Gukesh-Firouzja 1-0

I would say this was the biggest result of the entire round and possibly the entire tournament. Gukesh was tied for first with Nepo and Naka and Firouzja was out of contention for first. Both players played a relatively perfect game until time control, with the opening being a Berlin with 4. d3. Firouzja started to slip a bit after time control, and a series of two crucial mistakes by the Frenchman gave Gukesh a +4 advantage. He converted his 2 pawn advantage swiftly and cleanly and is now the sole leader of the tournament with 8.5/13. https://lichess.org/broadcast/fide-candidates-2024--open/round-13/Dc0DQMaQ/KBDR4r0v

Praggnanandhaa-Caruana 0-1

This was also a huge game in this round --- a must win game for Caruana if he wanted to have any chance at winning the tournament. While Caruana was up an exchange Pragg's counterplay and piece activity was enough for the position to remain in dynamic equilibrium for the first 50 moves or so. However, Pragg got very low on time and with less than 30 seconds on the clock blunders on move 68 with Ba1?? (right square wrong piece). Now the exchange was decisive for Caruana, who was also able to get 2 pieces for the rook to become a clean piece up. He managed to convert with ease and played at 97% accuracy the entire game. He now moves to shared second with Nepo and Naka with 8/14. https://lichess.org/broadcast/fide-candidates-2024--open/round-13/Dc0DQMaQ/jfTiqtRa

Open Standings

As we head into the final round tomorrow, Gukesh is paired as black against Nakamura, and Caruana is paired as white against Nepo. A very exciting round is to follow, and we will see who will win the whole thing. Gukesh has a slight edge as if he wins this game he will set the record for so many things, including the youngest player at the candidates, the youngest player to win a candidates, the first ever player to win the candidates on the first attempt, and the youngest ever world championship challenger, and possibly even the youngest ever world champion.

Women's Section

Vaishali-Lei 1-0

Both players were entering today's round completely opposite each other. Lei was second and a top contender for the top spot. Vaishali did not have a great tournament overall and was stuck in the bottom half. However, she was coming today with 3 wins in a row, an impressive feat in such a situation. Vaishali went for a Sicilian Moscow and both players were playing perfectly until move 60. Then Lei makes two consecutive, fatal blunders that allowed Vaishali to simplify into a winning king and pawn ending despite equal material. Vaishali was able to bag her 4th win in a row, and is tied for 3rd at 6.5/13, a great position to be in considering her shaky 1st half. https://lichess.org/broadcast/fide-candidates-2024--women/round-13/XbBwvNRd

Salimova-Lagno 1/2-1/2

This was a very topsy turvy game where Kateryna Lagno had a huge advantage and in the end blundered it all away. Although both did not have a chance at qualifying it was a huge missed opportunity for Lagno to secure a win. https://lichess.org/broadcast/fide-candidates-2024--women/round-13/XbBwvNRd/5AeRqsb0

Tan-Goryachkina 1/2-1/2

Coming into Round 13 Tan was the sole leader with 8/13, and she was able to draw a quick game in 29 moves. Both players played at 99% accuracy and secured a peaceful draw. Tan moves to the top of the table at 8.5/13, with Lei at 2nd with 7.5/13, a full point behind Tan. https://lichess.org/broadcast/fide-candidates-2024--women/round-13/XbBwvNRd/Lw910uXC

Koneru-Muzychuk 1/2-1/2

This was also a relatively peaceful game with both playing at 98% accuracy to secure a draw. Both started off in the 2nd half and had no shot at top prize. https://lichess.org/broadcast/fide-candidates-2024--women/round-13/XbBwvNRd/WOnFHEZD

Standings and the Situation

In terms of who has a shot at winning it is between Tan and Lei, who are not playing each other. Tan is black against Muzychuk and Lei and white against Koneru. If Tan draws or wins she is confirmed the winner. If Lei wins and Tan loses (this is the only way) then Tiebreaks will follow.

Conclusion

That's all for a recap on Round 13. A very exciting Round 14 is to follow, and we'll see who takes the crown for both Open and women, and if we have to play any tiebreaks. I'll keep you posted, so stay tuned and check regularly!