Two-time Candidates winner Ian Nepomniachtchi, world No. 2 Fabiano Caruana and world No. 3 Hikaru Nakamura trail the Indian by half a point.
In the final round, which will be one of the most exciting final rounds for the candidates so far, Gukesh will face Nakamura while Caruana will take on Nepomniachtchi.
Gukesh got off to a slow start against turquoise and Ruy Lopez's opening for white gave him no advantage. However, as the game progressed, Firoz opened his position, allowing White to play, reports FIDE.
This was when Gukesh gradually started to outwit his opponent and gained promising positions after a 40-move time control. A critical mistake on move 4 (45...Qg6) allowed White to trade queens and enter a technically winning endgame, which Gukesh easily converted.
"After he played 17...Re8 I thought things were getting a bit messy. After 22.BB3, I think he became over-optimistic and started pushing for more. Although my pieces Looked passive, strategically, if I got together, I would be better, that's exactly what happened in the game. I was quite happy to see 27...F because I wanted to win, and I thought that with this move. I will get some chances, Gukesh was quoted as saying by FIDE.
The game between Nepomniachtchi and Nakamura ended in a draw.
Meanwhile, in the Women's Candidates Round 13, India's Vaishali R defeated Lei Tingjie to register her fourth consecutive win.
In the final round, which will be one of the most exciting final rounds for the candidates so far, Gukesh will face Nakamura while Caruana will take on Nepomniachtchi.
Gukesh got off to a slow start against turquoise and Ruy Lopez's opening for white gave him no advantage. However, as the game progressed, Firoz opened his position, allowing White to play, reports FIDE.
This was when Gukesh gradually started to outwit his opponent and gained promising positions after a 40-move time control. A critical mistake on move 4 (45...Qg6) allowed White to trade queens and enter a technically winning endgame, which Gukesh easily converted.
"After he played 17...Re8 I thought things were getting a bit messy. After 22.BB3, I think he became over-optimistic and started pushing for more. Although my pieces Looked passive, strategically, if I got together, I would be better, that's exactly what happened in the game. I was quite happy to see 27...F because I wanted to win, and I thought that with this move. I will get some chances, Gukesh was quoted as saying by FIDE.
The game between Nepomniachtchi and Nakamura ended in a draw.
Meanwhile, in the Women's Candidates Round 13, India's Vaishali R defeated Lei Tingjie to register her fourth consecutive win.
