GM Ian Nepomniachtchi has taken a half-point lead at the 2024 FIDE Candidates Tournament after dispatching GM Vidit Gujrathi on the white side of Berlin Defense. Draws on the remaining three boards leave GMs Gukesh Dommaraju and Fabiano Caruana in equal second.

In the women’s event, a day of missed chances saw GM Tan Zhongyi hold onto her half-point lead after a miracle effort against GM Kateryna Lagno, while GM Anna Muzychuk missed a win against GM Lei Tingjie. The only decisive game of the round was IM Nurgyul Salimova-GM Humpy Koneru, which fell in favor of the Bulgarian. 

Following a rest day on Monday, round five will start on Tuesday, April 9, at 2:30 p.m. ET / 20:30 CEST / 12:00 a.m. IST.

This is a flash report. The full report featuring game analysis, photos, and videos, will be added soon.

Standings – Candidates

Standings – Women’s Candidates

Candidates: Nepomniachtchi Takes The Sole Lead

This wasn’t just a game by Nepomniachtchi, this was a masterpiece.

—Tania Sachdev.

Our Game of the Day, with analysis by GM Rafael Leitao, will be added shortly.

Women’s Candidates: Missed Chances Aplenty

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: