This is a flash report. The full report, including game analysis, photographs, interview quotes, clips, and more will be added to this page soon.

At the halfway mark of the 2024 FIDE Candidates Tournament, GM Ian Nepomniachtchi is back in the sole lead. In round seven, he survived over 20 moves of preparation from GM Hikaru Nakamura to make the draw.

GM Gukesh Dommaraju was mere moves away from winning and entering the sole lead himself, but in time trouble he suffered a heartbreaking loss against GM Alireza Firouzja. GM Fabiano Caruana vs. GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu and GM Nijat Abasov vs. GM Vidit Gujrathi ended in draws.

For the seventh round, the sole leader of the 2024 FIDE Women’s Candidates remains the same: GM Tan Zhongyi. There was one decisive result, after GM Vaishali Rameshbabu blundered and lost against GM Lei Tingjie.

After a rest day, round eight will be on Saturday, April 13, starting at 2:30 p.m. ET / 20:30 CEST / 12:00 a.m. IST.

Standings – Candidates

Standings – Women’s Candidates

Candidates: Heartbreak For Gukesh, Fortune For Nepomniachtchi

GM Rafael Leitao analyzes Firouzja’s clutch victory below.

Women’s Candidates: Vaishali Enters 3-Way Tie In Last Place

You can watch video recaps of the Candidates in our playlist below (click here).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries

The FIDE Candidates Tournaments are among the most important FIDE events of the year. Players compete for the right to play in the next FIDE World Championship match against current World Chess Champions GMs Ding Liren and Ju Wenjun.

Daily coverage:

Previews: