NAGPUR: Javokhir Sindarov’s Knight Sacrifice Propels Him to Victory Over Praggnanandhaa, Joining Caruana at the Top in Candidates Tournament
NAGPUR: World Cup Champion Javokhir Sindarov Shines in Candidates Tournament
In a thrilling display of strategy and skill, World Cup winner Javokhir Sindarov made headlines on Tuesday by sacrificing his knight for two pawns, ultimately defeating Indian Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa R and joining Fabiano Caruana at the top of the leaderboard in the third round of the Candidates Tournament.
The day was marked by a dramatic fall for the Chinese contingent, as all three players faced defeat in their respective matches held in Cyprus. Caruana, the American world No. 3, wasted no time in capitalizing on a blunder by Wei Yi, taking just 19 moves to dismantle the Chinese defense. After Wei’s critical error on the 17th turn, Caruana seized the opportunity, swiftly gaining a decisive advantage and becoming the first player to take the lead in the tournament.
The highly anticipated clash between Sindarov and Praggnanandhaa unfolded with unexpected twists. By the 13th move, Sindarov had offered his knight, allowing Pragg to gain a piece but at the cost of two pawns. This bold move also forced Pragg’s king into a precarious position. The ensuing 18 moves were fraught with complexity, but when Pragg faltered on the 33rd turn, Sindarov seized the moment. Under pressure and time constraints, Pragg fell into Sindarov’s trap after the 35th move, marking his first defeat in 40 games.
Meanwhile, the match between Germany’s Matthias Bluebaum and Russia’s Andrey Esipenko concluded in a hard-fought draw after 41 moves. Similarly, the English Opening clash between Hikaru Nakamura and Anish Giri also ended in a stalemate after the same number of moves.
In the women’s section, Kazakhstan’s rising star Bibisara Assaubayeva stunned world No. 4 Zhu Jiner of China, taking the lead with a brilliant performance. Utilizing the Canal Attack of Sicilian Defence, Assaubayeva executed key moves on the 25th and 31st turns, ultimately prevailing after 43 moves.
Ukrainian-born Russian GM Kateryna Lagno also made waves by securing a rollercoaster victory over 2017 Women’s World Champion Tan Zhongyi. Their 54-move battle was filled with opportunities and mistakes, but Lagno emerged victorious to share the lead with Assaubayeva.
India’s Vaishali Rameshbabu, the lowest-ranked candidate, continued her steady performance by holding World Championship finalist Anna Muzychuk to a draw in a flawless display of the Italian Game. The match concluded in a 41-move draw, showcasing both players’ tactical prowess.
In a marathon contest lasting over five hours, Divya Deshmukh fought valiantly against Russia’s experienced Aleksandra Goryachkina. Despite the odds, Deshmukh managed to draw the match after an exhausting 81 moves.
As the Candidates Tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the remaining rounds, with Sindarov and Caruana leading the charge. Stay tuned for more updates on this gripping chess showdown.