Superbet Classic 2024 R7: Gritty Gukesh survives against Caruana
The highly anticipated battle between D Gukesh and Fabiano Caruana (USA) ended in a draw in Round 7 of Grand Chess Tour Superbet Classic 2024. However, things were not easy for Gukesh. He had to defend an inferior queen and rook endgame. Caruana could have increased his sole lead if he played correctly. Gukesh showed his grit and managed to salvage a draw. Wesley So (USA) is the only other player who was close to earning a full point against Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB). He also could not find a way to convert his advantage into a full point. In the penultimate round, it will be Caruana vs Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh vs Anish Giri (NED). Round 8 starts today from 3 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Grand Chess Tour/Lennart Ootes
So lets Firouzja escape
All five games of Round 7 ended in draws. However, two of them could have ended decisively.
Gukesh - Caruana: 0.5-0.5
D Gukesh (2763) has an equal score against Fabiano Caruana (USA, 2796) in Classical rated games. He found himself in a precarious situation in the endgame against the World no.3
The major piece endgame is certainly not easy for White to defend. 51.Qa4? increased the vulnerability of his king Qe3+ 52.Kg2 Rb8 Black is ready to give up his a5-pawn in pursuit of the king. 53.Rf2 Qe4+ 54.Kh3 now Kg8 or Qe3 would have maintained a firm grip for Black. However, 54...Rb4 loosened things. Gukesh found the correct defense 55.Rf4 Qe2 56.Qd7 Rb2 57.Qc8+ Kh7 58.Qf5+ Kg8 59.Qc8+ and the game ended in a draw via perpetual check.
So - Abdusattorov: 0.5-0.5
Wesley So (USA, 2757) and Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB, 2769) played only two Classical rated games. Both ended in draws. This time, So had a great opportunity to score a win.
The passed e7-pawn should be decisive enough for White to win. Since it is no longer attacked twice and Qf1+ is not as dangerous as Black want it to be, 47.Rf3 is good enough to increase his advantage. 47...Qc8 48.Rf7 Rg8 49.Kh2 and White can improve his position. 47.Kh2 allowed Black to regain a stronghold Qf7 48.Nh3 Qf1 49.Re1 Qd3 and Black soon managed to get out of the trouble.
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Schedule and Format
Superbet Chess Classic will have one round played each day from 26th June to 5th July 2024. Each round starts at 3 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Except the last round on 5th July which will start at 2 p.m. local time, 4:30 p.m. IST. The sole rest day is on Monday 1st July. It will be a 10-player Round Robin event. Time control will be 120 minutes KO + 30 sec./move.
Prize
The total prize fund of each Classical event is the double of Rapid and Blitz events - US$ 350000.
Replay Round 7 games
Round 7 results
Standings after Round 7
Round 8 pairings
| Bo. | No. | Rtg | Name | Result | Name | Rtg | No. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | 2805 | GM | Caruana, Fabiano | GM | Praggnanandhaa, Rameshbabu | 2747 | 9 | ||
| 2 | 1 | 2737 | GM | Firouzja, Alireza | GM | Nepomniachtchi, Ian | 2770 | 8 | ||
| 3 | 2 | 2766 | GM | Abdusattorov, Nodirbek | GM | Deac, Bogdan-Daniel | 2680 | 7 | ||
| 4 | 3 | 2732 | GM | Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime | GM | So, Wesley | 2757 | 6 | ||
| 5 | 4 | 2763 | GM | Gukesh, Dommaraju | GM | Giri, Anish | 2745 | 5 |
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