Firouzja Beats World Champion, Grows Lead to Full Point

GM Alireza Firouzja defeated GM Ding Liren at the 2024 Sinquefield Cup on Monday, stretching his lead to a full point with two rounds to go. GM Fabiano Caruana is the only player in striking range from clear second. 

GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov scored his first classical victory of the 2024 Grand Chess Tour, defeating GM Wesley So with a combination of strategic and tactical ideas. 

The Sinquefield Cup will continue with round eight on Tuesday, August 27, at 2 p.m. ET / 20:00 CEST / 11:30 p.m. IST.  

Round 7 Results

Standings After Round 7

Abdusattorov 1-0 So

Abdusattorov decided to test his opponent by choosing a variation in the Nimzo Indian where So previously had trouble. During last year's Sinquefield Cup, So lost to Caruana in 25 moves. 

Abdusattorov's preparation reaped rewards. After generating pressure against So’s weak pawns, Abdusattorov found a tactical twist to win material. The 19-year-old grandmaster shared his mindset during the game:

At this point, I was very confident with my position, but, you know, we saw many, many kind of saves this tournament, unbelievable saves. One was Wesley vs. Pragg. So, I surely didn’t want to let this one slip.

I surely didn’t want to let this one slip.

―Nodirbek Abdusattorov

GM Rafael Leitao shares his analysis of our Game of the Day below. 

Firouzja 1-0 Ding

Firouzja steered Ding into a tense and complex position. The world champion defended well for much of the middlegame, but he spent much of his time studying the complexities of the position. Contrastingly, Firouzja played at a fairly quick pace, draining his opponent's clock while keeping all the material on the board—waiting for Ding's time trouble to offer more opportunities. The GCT leader's plan worked like clockwork. 

On move 29, Ding released the long-held tension in the center due to a time-pressure miscalculation. When he tried to play a pawn break in the center, his queenside collapsed in the process. Firouzja reflected: 

I was very happy because he was getting low on time... It was not a surprise that he blundered. It’s a very difficult position to have over-the-board. It’s very passive.

It was not a surprise that he blundered. It’s a very difficult position...

―Alireza Firouzja

Caruana 1/2-1/2 Gukesh

Caruana and GM Gukesh Dommaraju tussled through an unorthodox Italian middlegame into an ending with weak pawns for both sides. Caruana looked to increase his small edge, but with doubled isolated pawns himself, it seemed hard to make much play.

Yet, beginning with the unpleasant-looking 23.Ra3, the American grandmaster’s pieces seemed to glide to harmonious squares, coordinating to add maximum pressure against Black’s weak points. 

In the throes of mutual time pressure, Caruana had a tactical opportunity. When he overlooked it, Gukesh neutralized any further chances. GM Cristian Chirila noted:

We are starting to understand that, indeed, Gukesh is a very powerful defender. Another contrast that we’re seeing right between the World Champion Ding and the challenger Gukesh is Gukesh feels very comfortable playing very long games. It doesn’t seem to be the case for Ding.

We are starting to understand that, indeed, Gukesh is a very powerful defender.

―Cristian Chirila

Praggnanandhaa 1/2-1/2 Nepomniachtchi

GM Ian Nepomniachtchi surprised GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu with a rare pawn sacrifice in the Petroff Defense. The younger grandmaster accepted the sacrifice and searched for a way to gain an edge with his first-move advantage. When the two-time challenger offered a three-time repetition, Praggnanandhaa thought for over 30 minutes and reluctantly accepted the draw―rather than taking risks while swimming in his opponent's preparation. 

Ian Nepomniachtchi finished his game against Praggnanandhaa with more time on his clock than he started with, demonstrating that his preparation worked really well today! #Grandchesstour #Sinquefieldcup #pragg #IanNepomniachtchi pic.twitter.com/ZAnyslPUTr

— Grand Chess Tour (@GrandChessTour) August 26, 2024

Vachier-Lagrave 1/2-1/2 Giri

GMs Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Anish Giri played a very level and peaceful encounter in the Berlin.

The draw streak reaches 24! https://t.co/DqldVd1NmU

— chess24 (@chess24com) August 26, 2024

In round eight, Firouzja has Black vs. Nepomniachtchi. A full-point behind, Caruana will try to gain ground with the black pieces vs. Praggnanandhaa. Meanwhile, the pack of players tied for third will look for wins just to stay in contention. 

Round 8 Pairings

The 2024 Sinquefield Cup is the last leg and final classical event of the 2024 Grand Chess Tour. Ten players compete in a classical single round-robin for their share of a $350,000 prize fund.

Previous Coverage

• Round 6: Nepomniachtchi Blunders vs. Dragon, Caruana Chases Firouzja
• Round 5: Firouzja Leads Alone Again, Pushes Giri Out Of Top 20
• Round 4: Wesley So Joins Lead, Firouzja Has 9 Lives
• Round 3: Nepomniachtchi Catches Firouzja In Lead, Firouzja Escapes Vs. Vachier-Lagrave
• Round 2: Challengers Fight, Firouzja Keeps Lead
• Round 1: Firouzja Bests Caruana, Gains Sole Lead
• A Taste of Gukesh vs. Ding at the Grand Chess Tour Finale