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

GMs Ian Nepomniachtchi and Gukesh Dommaraju continue to lead the 2024 FIDE Candidates Tournament after round nine. GM Vidit Gujrathi was the only player to win on Sunday, and he defeated GM Hikaru Nakamura for the second time.

GM Alireza Firouzja outplayed Nepomniachtchi after starting the game with the uncommon 2.b3, but the tournament co-leader defended yet another difficult position to a draw. The French number-one complained about the chief arbiter on Twitter/X after the game.

GM Tan Zhongyi defeated GM-elect Vaishali Rameshbabu in 21 moves to jump back into pole position in the 2024 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament. All the other games ended in draws, leaving GMs Lei Tingjie and Aleksandra Goryachkina a half-point behind.

Round 10 will be on Monday, April 15, starting at 2:30 p.m. ET / 20:30 CEST / 12:00 a.m. IST.

Standings – Candidates

Standings – Women’s Candidates

Candidates: Vidit Scores The Double Vs. Nakamura

GM Rafael Leitao analyzes the Game of the Day below.

 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: