Sinquefield Cup R5: Xiong stuns Caruana

by Shahid Ahmed - 22/08/2021

Jeffery Xiong scored the biggest win of the round as he beat Caruana for the first time in his career in the fifth round of Sinquefield Cup 2021. He has beaten Carlsen last year in Clutch Rapid but never beat Caruana until yesterday. Vachier-Lagrave was the only other victor of the day as he handed Swiercz his fourth loss of the event. Mamedyarov-Leinier, Svidler-Shankland and So-Rapport ended in draws. So, Vachier-Lagrave and Leinier share a three-way lead 3.5/5 in the final and what is turning out to be the most interesting leg of the Grand Chess Tour 2021. Today is the sole rest day of the event. Round 6 starts on 24th August from 1:30 a.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Vachier-Lagrave is back at the top

Only two games ended decisively in the fifth round of the event, and both of them happened with the players with white pieces. The last time someone won with the black pieces in this event was in the second round and overall only two games were won by black pieces out of 25 games played so far.

Xiong beat Caruana for the first time in his career | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Vachier-Lagrave - Swiercz: 1-0

Swiercz kept making tiny mistakes one by one, which Vachier-Lagrave built upon and eventually converted it in the endgame.

Position after 28...c4

28...c4 became Black's final mistake which tipped the scale completely in White's favor. Find out how should White continue here.

Interview with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club

Vachier-Lagrave bounced back well after suffering a loss in the previous round | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Xiong - Caruana: 1-0

Caruana blundered in a seemingly equal double rook and knight endgame.

Position after 34...Rd8

35.Rg6+ and there is no good defense for Black as 35...Kh7 runs into 36.Rf6 and moving the knight means Nxg5+ followed by Ne6, Rf7 too many overwhelming threats for Black.