Alireza Firouzja is definitely not in his element in the Candidates format. As in Madrid two years ago, the Frenchman is dragging his pain through Toronto, and his opponents are taking advantage of his distress.
Firouzja was beaten back to back by American Hikaru Nakamura (round 5) and Indian Vidit Santosh Gujrathi (round 6). With three defeats in six games, he finds himself at the bottom of the ranking and in a psychological hole. It’s hard to believe in a miracle now, even if anything is still possible…
At the top of the ranking, Ian Nepomniachtchi (Russia) is taking things easy (4/6). He has mastered Fabiano Caruana (draw) and looks capable of achieving a hat-trick.
But nothing can be taken for granted yet, as India’s Gukesh Dommaraju (17) is up there with him, and neither the Americans Caruana and Nakamura, nor India’s Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa and Vidit Santosh Gujrathi have yet been dropped.
The Candidates’ Tournament will determine the challenger to reigning world champion Ding Liren (China). It takes place without five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen from Norway.
