Vidit Gujrathi has stunned Ian Nepomniachtchi and sneaked into the quarterfinals of the knockout World Cup chess in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Monday.
After holding the higher-rated Russian (Elo 2779) to two draws in the classical phase, Vidit (Elo 2723) drew both rapid games (25 minutes) and followed that up with two wins in the 10-minute games for a 4-2 verdict.
Vidit will play world No. 97 and local boy Nijat Abasov for a place in the semi finals from Tuesday. Abasov had scored surprise wins over Anish Giri and Peter Svidler earlier in the tournament.
The 28-year-old Indian world No. 23 got his breakthrough with white pieces in the third tiebreak. His higher-rated rival played two questionable knight moves (22.Ne6 and 36.Nxd6). In the first instance, Vidit got the initiative after doing the groundwork by pushing the a-pawn. And after some dynamic middle-game maneuverings, when the second subpar knight move was played, Vidit's pristinely placed b-pawn threatened another passer with Black king also in the attacking mode.
In a must-win situation of the next games, Nepo had to attack more and take more risks with black pieces. Vidit duly punished him in a 52-move game of uncastled kings. He withstood rook's kingside attack through the h-file, won the other rook for knight and provided the finishing touch by making Nepo's g-pawn push redundant.
It was heartbreak for D Harika who lost to second seed Aleksandra Goryachkina 3.5-4.5.
Open quarterfinals: D Gukesh (Ind) vs Magnus Carslen (Nor); Nijag Abasov (Aze) vs Vidit Gujrathi (Ind); Fabiano Caruana (USA) vs Leinier Dominguez (USA), Erigaisi Arjun (Ind) vs R Praggnanandhaa Ind).
A CANDIDATES SPOT ASSURED?
If Magnus Carlsen continues his stance of not being a part of the World Championship cycle, at least one Indian is assured of a place in the Candidates tournament. The top-three from this event make it to the eight-player event.
