Exciting Final Round Scenarios Unfold in 2024 FIDE Candidates’ Tournaments

The penultimate round of the 2024 FIDE Candidates’ Tournament and Women’s Candidate Tournament in Toronto took two very different paths on Saturday, creating an exciting finish for both events.

In the Women’s event, GM Tan Zhongyi is on the brink of winning the tournament outright with at least a draw in her final game. A loss and a win by GM Lei Tingjie would force a tiebreak. This separation of the leaders from the field by the 14th round is a typical outcome in chess tournaments.

On the other hand, the Open event saw all four top players entering the round still in contention for the title. GMs Gukesh D., Ian Nepomniachtchi, Hikaru Nakamura, and Fabiano Caruana are all playing each other in the final round, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

In the Women’s event, GM-Elect Vaishali Rameshbabu made a remarkable comeback, winning her fourth consecutive game to climb to a share of third place. Her final game against GM Kateryna Lagno will be crucial in determining the final standings.

In the Open event, Caruana kept his title hopes alive with a hard-fought victory over GM Praggnanandhaa R. Meanwhile, Gukesh will face GM Alireza Firouzja in a revenge match after Firouzja handed him his only loss in the tournament.

With Gukesh holding a half-point lead going into the final round, the stakes are high for all players. A win for Gukesh secures the title, while a draw could still see him win depending on the result of the other game. Nakamura, Nepomniachtchi, and Caruana are all in contention and must play for a win to have a chance at the title.

The final round promises to be a thrilling conclusion to both tournaments, with the fate of the players hanging in the balance. Chess fans can follow the action live and stay updated on the official website and various streaming platforms. Stay tuned for an exciting finish to the 2024 FIDE Candidates’ Tournaments!