Norway Chess: Gukesh, Erigaisi in title contention as tournament enters crucial phase

World champion D. Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi have caught the imagination of chess aficionados by queering the pitch for the likes of Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, as the Indian duo makes Norway Chess title bid when the tournament recommences on Thursday after a rest day.

With eight rounds completed, and just two more to go, Gukesh — placed third with 11.5 points — and Erigaisi, with 10.5 points, are in contention for the title in a tournament which has never been won by an Indian.

Gukesh, after an unimpressive start in the tournament, has played some tenacious chess to stage a remarkable comeback in the six-player double round-robin tournament. He began with losses in his first two games — against World No. 1 Carlsen and Erigaisi.

Just when Gukesh seemed to have hit a nice rhythm by beating Carlsen and Erigaisi in rounds six and seven, respectively, the 19-year-old suffered a massive blow at the hands of Nakamura, who inflicted a morale-shattering blow to the Indian in round eight on Tuesday.

The rest day would have given Gukesh plenty of time to introspect and chart his next move, given that one more defeat in the tournament could make things virtually impossible for him.

Gukesh will take on China’s Wei Yi in the next round, who had beaten him in a sudden-death Armageddon tie-break in round five. While Wei hasn’t enjoyed great success so far in the tournament, he has thrown open the field by beating both Gukesh and Carlsen in Armageddon tie-breaks in the previous rounds.

Wei Yi’s eight points and sixth position on the table are not a true reflection of his grit and determination, as the Chinese is more than capable of throwing a spanner in the works of Gukesh a second consecutive time in the tournament.

Erigaisi, on the other hand, will meet Nakamura, and would like to build on the success of beating the American earlier in the tournament.

The 21-year-old, playing in his maiden Norway Chess, has been tactful and quick on the board, thanks to his proficiency in rapid and blitz. He has been in winning positions in several games too, especially in round seven against Gukesh, but has surprisingly fumbled in the end games.

Though American Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana is leading the field with 12.5 points, and Carlsen is a close second with 12 points, the two have looked vulnerable against the Indians. Gukesh showed he is made of sterner stuff when he defeated Carlsen in round 6, leaving the Norwegian slamming the table with his fist.

In the women’s section, world rapid champion Koneru Humpy continues to be the frontrunner so far with 13.5 points and will face Chinese world championship runner-up Lei Tingjie in round nine, hoping to increase her lead.

R Vaishali, with 9.5 points, will take on Spanish International Master Sara Khadem, knowing well that one more defeat will end her title hopes.