Chess · Global
Three opening wins set the pace in Cyprus
Caruana, Praggnanandhaa and Sindarov led after the first Candidates round.
Source publication date:
Fabiano Caruana, R Praggnanandhaa and Javokhir Sindarov won their opening games at the FIDE Candidates Tournament in Cyprus. Their victories created a three-way lead, while Matthias Bluebaum and Wei Yi shared the point in the remaining open encounter.
Caruana overcame Hikaru Nakamura after building pressure in the opening. Sindarov capitalised on Andrey Esipenko’s difficulties approaching time control. Praggnanandhaa surprised Anish Giri with the Grand Prix Attack and later converted his advantage in a rook ending.
All four women’s games finished level. Anna Muzychuk held Divya Deshmukh, Tan Zhongyi resisted Zhu Jiner’s prepared pawn sacrifice, and R Vaishali drew with Bibisara Assaubayeva. Aleksandra Goryachkina missed a winning continuation against Kateryna Lagno before their game was drawn.
Sources
Check the original record.
Open the governing body or organiser’s publication for the underlying result, decision or tournament update.