Gukesh Battles Caruana in Quarterfinals
World Champion D. Gukesh faced a challenging opponent in Fabiano Caruana during the first leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam quarterfinals in Weissenhaus. Despite an impressive start, Gukesh’s inaccuracies in the endgame proved costly, leading to a narrow defeat against the world no. 2.
Gukesh managed to squeeze into the knockout rounds of the tournament with an eighth-place finish. Caruana, who chose Gukesh as his opponent, capitalized on Gukesh’s time trouble and inaccurate play. Although Gukesh had a slight advantage in the opening and mid-game, Caruana’s endgame accuracy turned the tide in his favor.
Carlsen Highlights Gukesh’s Flaws
In another notable match, Magnus Carlsen defeated Nodirbek Abdusattorov, showcasing his exceptional strategic play. Carlsen later analyzed Gukesh’s game, pointing out, “He was really brave, and then when it was time to be brave again, he retreated. But by the time he retreated, it was very difficult to hold his position in practice.”
Freestyle Chess, also known as Fischer Random Chess, features randomly set up pieces, requiring players to adapt their strategies on the fly. This format adds an extra layer of complexity and demands quick thinking.
Gukesh has another chance in Game 2, where he will need to win with the black pieces to push the match into tiebreakers. A draw will see him eliminated from the tournament and contest for places 5-8 in the final points positions.
Also Read: Magnus Carlsen vs Gukesh D.: Excitement Builds for Freestyle Chess Clash
Other Quarterfinal Highlights
- Vincent Keymer secured a surprise victory against Alireza Firouzja.
- Hikaru Nakamura and Jakovhir Sindarov ended their game in a draw.
The tournament continues with high stakes as Gukesh, Firouzja, and Abdusattorov fight to stay in the competition. Fans eagerly await the upcoming matches, hoping for thrilling performances and strategic brilliance.
Also Read: Why Praggnanandhaa Misses Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour
