Victories Aplenty: So Leads; Caruana, Dominguez Score 1st Wins

It was a day of victories on Monday at the 2023 Sinquefield Cup. GM Wesley So defeated GM Levon Aronian to extend his lead, while GMs Fabiano Caruana and Leinier Dominguez scored their first wins.

The Sinquefield Cup continues with round seven on Tuesday, November 28, at 2.30 p.m. ET/20:30 CET/01:00 a.m. IST.

Standings After Round 6

On the way to the tournament, some of the players were chased down for autographs and pictures by fans.

Returning from a rest day, the players displayed fresh vigor in their duels. This round alone featured more decisive games than the previous five rounds combined, which had a total of two―won by So and Aronian.

Anastasiya: Fabi, do you know that you perform better after free days? And you had two free days!
Fabiano: No, I didn't know that. I think we should have a new format, where every game has a rest day after... or even two!#grandchesstour #Sinquefieldcup pic.twitter.com/eBfI7pstkh

— Grand Chess Tour (@GrandChessTour) November 28, 2023

Firouzja vs. Caruana

Despite the strength of both players, the head-to-head classical score between Caruana and GM Alireza Firouzja is significantly in favor of the American grandmaster: 4-1. From the start, Firouzja showed ambitious intentions, leading the game to a complex middlegame with the kings castled to opposite sides. 

At one point, Caruana had a unique drawing opportunity. Can you find Black’s shocking draw possibility in the alternate variation with 26…Rbxe4 27.Nxe4? 

Black to move. 

Caruana's favorite move of the game is 30...h5: "I like these kinds of positional moves in a tense situation. You expect some tactics, and then you see some positional move like …h5."

In the end, the Grand Chess Tour leader's threats overwhelmed his opponent in their dynamic fight. Caruana's first victory is our Game of the Day, with analysis by GM Rafael Leitao.

It is a painful game to lose for Alireza, which leaves his Candidate's qualifications under significant doubt. #SinquefieldCup #grandchesstour pic.twitter.com/OQLwbkT6oJ

— Grand Chess Tour (@GrandChessTour) November 27, 2023

Dominguez vs. Giri 

Eager to avoid theory and fight for the win, GM Anish Giri started the game with what commentator GM Peter Svidler referred to as the "I-will-give-you-mate-on-the-kingside opening." Dominguez, too, was content with the choice of opening: "I thought good, we will have some kind of original game."

After an inaccuracy by Giri, Dominguez gained connected passed pawns in the center. After coordinating his forces to support their advance, his passers marched down the board relentlessly. 

So vs. Aronian

With nearly all their time still left on their clocks, So and Aronian practically raced to the endgame. When Aronian missed his chance to set up a fortress, So pressed in a riskless bishop vs. knight ending, eventually catching his opponent in zugzwang. 

So was impressed by the resistance that Aronian had created: "I thought I was going to win for sure at this point because the king infiltrates... I thought I was winning very easily here, but somehow Levon kept finding resources."

With So's two victories and Firouzja's recent 26-point rating loss, So now has a 10-point lead in the race for Candidates qualification by rating.

Yet, the tournament leader shared his primary focus isn't that: "I've got friends and spectators who want me to qualify for the Candidates more than I do myself. My priority is to qualify for next year's Grand Chess Tour. Thanks to the important win today, I think I'm pretty good."

Check out GM Wesley So’s postgame thoughts as he scores a crucial win over co-leader GM Levon Aronian and solidifies his chances for the 2024 Candidates in what will likely prove to be a watershed moment for him! 😎💪
He now also leads the 2023 Sinquefield Cup by a point with 3… pic.twitter.com/LofiHWjeJx

— Grand Chess Tour (@GrandChessTour) November 28, 2023

Rapport vs. Vachier-Lagrave

GM Richard Rapport gained a dominating grip on the position vs. GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. Yet, when the Romanian grandmaster cashed it in for an extra pawn, Vachier-Lagrave set up a sturdy defense.

Results- Round 6

Pairings - Round 7

How to watch the 2023 Sinquefield Cup

You can keep up with all the games and results of the tournament on our live events platform by following this link.

All Games

The 2023 Sinquefield Cup is the strongest international classical OTB tournament in the U.S. and the final leg of the 2023 Grand Chess Tour. Starting November 21 at 2:30 p.m. ET/20:30 CET/01:00 (+1) IST, 10 elite grandmasters will compete for their share of the $350,000 prize fund.

Previous Coverage

• • Aronian Defeats Firouzja After Near-Catastrophe At Time Control
  • So Breaks Draw Streak At 2023 Sinquefield Cup
  • Duda Withdraws With Health Issue, No Decisive Results In St. Louis
  • Missed Wins For Nepomniachtchi, Caruana
  • Dominguez Presses vs. Caruana In Accurate Opening Round