 "Classical world champion D Gukesh in action against Chinese No 1 Wei Yi in the ninth round of Norway Chess. Image credit: Michal Walusza/Norway Chess")
D Gukesh remained within reach of the glittering trophy after defeating Wei Yi in Round 9 of the Norway Chess in Stavanger, Norway on Thursday. World champion Gukesh moved to the second spot on the standings with 14.5 points with his victory over the Chinese Grandmaster and trailing current leader Magnus Carlsen by half a point.
World No 1 and defending champion Carlsen, meanwhile, had regained the top spot on the standings after defeating Caruana in the latest round on Thursday, and is currently sitting at the top with 15 points. The tournament thus is set for an exciting showdown in the 10th and final round on Friday in which Carlsen and Gukesh as well as American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura will be fighting a pitched battle for the top spot.
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Hikaru was held to a draw by Arjun Erigaisi, the other Indian in the ‘Open’ Section, but managed to collect an additional half-a-point by winning the Armageddon playoff while playing with white pieces.
Humpy concedes top spot after defeat against Lei
While the Hikaru-Arjun game ended in a draw, all three Classical games in the ‘Women’ section achieved a decisive result with Ukrainian GM Anna Muzychuk opening up a two-point lead over India’s Koneru Humpy at the top after defeating China’s Ju Wenjun in the latest round on Thursday.
Humpy conceded the top spot after suffering a defeat against Lei Tinjie in just 34 moves, the victory taking the Chinese GM to the third spot where she trails the Indian by just half-a-point.
R Vaishali, the other Indian in the fray, remained ahead of Sara Khadem at the fifth spot despite losing to the Spanish International Master on Thursday.