FIDE World Cup: New world no. 7 Gukesh, Arjun near quarterfinals

Saturday’s victory over Wang Hao, worth 4.5 rating points, raised Gukesh’s live rating to a career-high 2761.5 and replaced Anish Giri (2759.6) as the new World No. 7 in live rankings.

Gukesh’s 38-move victory over Wang Hao placed him a draw away from setting up a possible clash with top seed Magnus Carlsen | Photo Credit: THE HINDU

Continuing his march, an ever-so-focussed D. Gukesh overpowered China’s Wang Hao to not only inch closer to a quarterfinal spot of the FIDE World Cup but also moved to career-high World No. 7 in the live rankings on Saturday.

Gukesh’s 38-move victory placed him a draw away from setting up a possible clash with top seed Magnus Carlsen, who defeated Ukrainian veteran Vassily Ivanchuk in their first game. The players meet again on Sunday by playing with behind pieces of reverse colours.

Saturday’s victory, worth 4.5 rating points, raised Gukesh’s live rating to a career-high 2761.5 and replaced Anish Giri (2759.6) as the new World No. 7 in live rankings.

Like Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi also played black and struck by punishing Sweden’s Nils Grandelius for a late error in 53 moves. On a when Vidit Gujrathi, with white pieces, held fourth-seeded Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi and R. Praggnanandhaa split the point with Hungary’s Ferenc Berkes.

The results (involving Indians, prefix denotes seeding)

Open (Pre-quarterfinals, Game 1): 24-Wang Hao (Chn, 2709) lost to 8-D. Gukesh (2744); 20-Vidit Gujrathi (2719) drew with 4-Ian Nepomniachtchi (FIDE, 2779); 39-Nils Grandelius (Swe, 2684) lost to 23-Arjun Erigaisi (2710); 82-Ferenc Berkes (Hun, 2615) drew with 31-R. Praggnanandhaa (2690).

Women (Quarterfinals): 2-Aleksandra Goryachkina (FIDE, 2557) drew with 10-D. Harika (2500).