It was a pivotal day for the standings as Alireza Firouzja survived a difficult position to score an important victory over Wesley So, overtaking the lead in the penultimate round of the Sinquefield Cup. It was then not long after that Ian Nepomniachtchi joined Firouzja in first place, after he defeated Levon Aronian in a highly tactical game.

Going into the final round, Firouzja is now a heavy favorite to win the 2022 Grand Chess Tour, as his performance in the Sinquefield Cup will likely place him ahead of current leader Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in the overall standings.

Standings after Round 8 (Caruana will have a bye-round tomorrow and finish on 4.5/8)

Alireza Firouzja is now a heavy favorite to win the Grand Chess Tour

Alireza Firouzja wins Sinquefield Cup 2022 after defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi in a rapid playoff

2022 Grand Chess Tour – Final Standings

Active Defense!

There’s no such thing as a premature counterattack - Savielly Tartakower

Gabdrakhmanov – Yusupov USSR Schoolchildrens’
Championship, Riga 1977

Black to move

Black has an awful position, thanks to his very bad bishop. But even positions like this may be defended successfully.

1...Bc7!
The queen must be set free for active play.

2.Bc3
Now what should Black do?

Passive defense promises him nothing: 2...f6 3. Qd7+ Kg8 4. Bd2 Qd6 5.Qe8+ Kg76. Bh6+!; or 2...Qd6 3. f4, with great advantage
to White. So Artur decides to sacrifice some material.

White gives back one of his two extra pawns since he cannot see how he will quash his opponent’s counterplay after 6. Kh3 Qe2!

It’s important to keep the enemy queen off d2.