The two-time Russian chess champion, masterfully wielding the black pieces, defeated his Indian opponent in a game of the 11th round of the Candidates Tournament in Toronto.
This is not the first meeting between Yan Nepomnyashchy and Vidit Gujrati. Earlier this April, in the fourth round, he had already beaten the Indian in a game of 44 moves. True, at that time Yan played with white pieces. However, their color hardly affects the outcome of any given tournament.
The current victory over Gujrati allowed Nepomnyashchy to gain seven points and return to the sole leaders of the competition, leaving behind his rivals from India and the USA.
The winner of the men's championship will be able to compete for the world chess crown with Chinese grandmaster Dean Lizhen.
Among the favorites in this tournament, the name of the Russian grandmaster is heard most often. All the more so because Nepomnyashchy has a lot of experience in fighting for the title of world champion. In 2021 and 2023 he has already fought for the chess crown.
Earlier Runews24.ru reported that the winner of the 10th round was American grandmaster Fabiano Caruana.