It was a hard-fought day with four draws as GM Wesley So continues to lead the Sinquefield Cup, the final leg of the 2022 Grand Chess Tour. With So having a bye round today it was an opportunity for his competitors to close the distance, but with just two rounds left it’s only Alireza Firouzja and Ian Nepomniachtchi, who are a half-point behind, that have the best chance of catching up.
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.
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.
Black has an awful position, thanks to his very bad bishop. But even positions like this may be defended successfully.
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.
to White. So Artur decides to sacrifice some material.