In a nail-biting round 13 clash at the FIDE Candidates 2024, Indian chess prodigy D. Gukesh rose above the rest to secure a win against French grandmaster Alireza Firouzja. Gukesh's stunning triumph has propelled him to the top of the leaderboard, surpassing Hikaru Nakamura and Ian Nepomniachtchi with just one round left to play. Gukesh's remarkable feat has sparked off a heated debate in the world of chess, with fans and experts hailing him as the newest sensation in the sport.
Gukesh's Stunning Triumph at FIDE Candidates 2024: A Rising Star in Chess
In a captivating round 13 clash at the FIDE Candidates 2024, 16-year-old Indian chess prodigy D. Gukesh emerged victorious against French grandmaster Alireza Firouzja. This remarkable triumph propelled Gukesh to the summit of the leaderboard, surpassing top-rated players Hikaru Nakamura and Ian Nepomniachtchi with only one round remaining.
Gukesh's meteoric rise to the top has sparked widespread admiration and ignited a passionate debate within the chess community. Here is a glimpse into his journey and the significance of his recent achievement:
Background:
Dommaraju Gukesh is an Indian grandmaster who began playing chess at the age of seven. Despite his tender age, he quickly established himself as a force to reckon with, becoming the youngest player to achieve the International Master title in 2019. In 2021, he became the youngest to reach the 2700 Elo rating, a testament to his exceptional talent.
FIDE Candidates 2024:
The FIDE Candidates Tournament is a prestigious event that determines the challenger for the World Chess Championship. The top eight chess players compete in a round-robin format, vying for two spots in the Candidates Final.
Gukesh's Performance:
Gukesh's journey in the Candidates 2024 has been nothing short of extraordinary. He started the tournament as the lowest-rated player but has consistently outplayed his more experienced opponents. His triumph against Firouzja in round 13 showcased his resilience, tactical prowess, and ability to perform under immense pressure.
Implications:
Gukesh's victory has sent shockwaves through the chess world. He has become the first Indian player to lead the Candidates Tournament and has demonstrated that he is capable of competing with the very best. His success has not only inspired young chess enthusiasts but has also revitalized the sport in India.
FAQs:
What makes Gukesh's achievement so remarkable? Gukesh is the youngest player in the Candidates Tournament, and his victory against Firouzja was a significant upset. He has outplayed higher-rated opponents and has a chance to become the first Indian player to qualify for the Candidates Final.
Who is Gukesh's toughest competitor? Hikaru Nakamura has consistently performed well in the Candidates Tournament and is a formidable opponent. However, Ian Nepomniachtchi, who recently defeated Nakamura, is also a strong contender for the World Championship challenge.
What are Gukesh's chances of qualifying for the Candidates Final? Gukesh needs to secure a draw or win in his final round match against Richard Rapport. If he does so, he will be guaranteed a place in the Candidates Final.
What are the implications of Gukesh's success for Indian chess? Gukesh's performances have sparked renewed interest in chess in India. His success is likely to inspire more young people to take up the sport and pursue a career in chess.
What is the next step for Gukesh? If Gukesh qualifies for the Candidates Final, he will face a formidable opponent in the World Chess Championship match. Regardless of the outcome, his performance in the Candidates has established him as a serious contender for the world title in the future.
Legendary Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has made the tough decision to not participate in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, citing privacy as the reason for his withdrawal. With two other key bowlers, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, already ruled out due to injuries, Starc's absence is a major blow for Australia's campaign. In his place, the team has called up Spencer Johnson, Sean Abbott, and Ben Dwarshuis, with Johnson seen as a potential replacement for Starc. Despite the loss of a key player, Australia's chief selector has expressed support for Starc's decision and sees it as an opportunity for someone else to make their mark in the tournament.
Australian Pacer Starc Withdraws From Champions Trophy, Five New Players Added to Squad The Australian team has suffered yet another loss as Mitchell Starc has withdrawn from the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy due to personal reasons. The experienced pacer's absence has resulted in five new players being added to the squad, causing a significant change in the team's composition. Despite this setback, captain Pat Cummins is confident in the strong core of experienced players and is open to adapting the playing XI according to the opposition and conditions.
A significant change is set to take place in the world of European soccer, as the long-standing Swiss agency for selling Champions League rights will be replaced by New York-based Relevent Sports, owned by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross. This comes after the UEFA-ECA joint venture awarded Relevent exclusive negotiating rights for the global commercial rights to the UEFA men's club competitions for the period of 2027-2033. This deal marks a major shift in the marketing of the prestigious Champions League and other European competitions, with revenues expected to reach record highs.
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has endorsed all-rounder Axar Patel for a spot in the upcoming Champions Trophy, suggesting that he could potentially fill the crucial role of a left-handed batter in the middle order. Manjrekar highlighted Axar's impressive batting performance in the first ODI against England, where he hit a quickfire 52 off just 47 balls, and praised his ability to play spin. He also hinted that wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant may have to wait for his chance due to Axar's emergence. The Indian team could potentially make a couple of changes for the 2nd ODI, with captain Virat Kohli returning from injury and potentially pushing young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal down the order.
The much-awaited Champions League play-offs have officially begun with 16 teams competing for the final eight spots in the next stage. Eight teams, including Liverpool and Arsenal, have already secured their places while Aston Villa clinched the final spot with a victory over Celtic. The draws for the last 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals will take place on 21 February, setting up exciting match-ups for the remaining teams. Villa will face either Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting Lisbon or Club Brugge in the last 16.
As the UEFA Champions League knockout phase approaches, all eyes will be on the highly-anticipated new ball at the center of it all. Created by Adidas, the ball pays tribute to the vibrant host city of the final, Munich, with its stunning design and expertly crafted technology. Not only is it a visual masterpiece, it also leads the way in sustainability efforts, making it a true game-changer for the sport. Before its debut, this UCL ball has been thoroughly tested and proven to be a triumph in every aspect.
Star cricketer Kane Williamson's unbeaten 133 led New Zealand to a six-wicket victory against South Africa in the tri-series ODI match on Monday. Despite South African opener Matthew Breetzke's record debut score of 150, New Zealand secured a spot in the final with their captain's brilliant performance. The match, played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, was filled with excitement as the team progresses to the next stage.
India's captain, Rohit Sharma, silenced his critics with a magnificent 119 off 90 balls and led India to a series-clinching win against England in Cuttack. Former player and selector Jatin Paranjape praised Rohit's determination and elegant play, while also applauding the impressive performance of debutant wrist-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy. With the deadline for the Champions Trophy selection fast approaching, Paranjape predicted that Chakaravarthy's precision and pressure-inducing bowling style will surely earn him a spot in India's final squad.
New Zealand continued their winning streak in the tri-nation ODI series with a convincing win over South Africa. Skipper Mitchell Santner's decision to invite South Africa to bat first proved successful as his team claimed an early advantage. With only one change to their playing XI, the Kiwis were able to secure a 78-run victory over Pakistan in the previous match. A win over South Africa in Lahore would secure New Zealand's spot in the final.
India continued their dominance over England with a convincing win in the second ODI, thanks to skipper Rohit Sharma's sublime century. However, a moment of controversy arose when England's Jos Buttler threw the ball back at a helpless Virat Kohli just moments before his dismissal. This incident caused outrage among Kohli's fans, with many accusing Buttler of intentionally breaking the Indian star's concentration. After the match, Buttler admitted that his team needs to step up their game in order to make a comeback in the series.