Vidit Gujrathi reaches the quarterfinals in World Chess Cup.
India’s No.3 Vidit Gujrathi defeated Vasif Durarbayli 1.5-0.5 to reach the FIDE Chess World Cup quarter-finals here on Monday.
The 26-year-old Grandmaster came up with an impressive display to tame his lower-rated opponent from Azerbaijan, winning by 38 moves in their fifth-round encounter.
The two had played a draw in the first game of the two-game mini-match.
World number 22 employed the Ruy Lopez Arkangelsk variation against Durarbayli and stood his ground with black pieces to secure victory.
Vidit Gujrathi defeated Vasif Durarbayli and advanced to the quarterfinals of the #FIDEWorldCup. @viditchess he played strategically to restrict White’s light squared bishop throughout the game and finally managed to capture it. pic.twitter.com/lOzmfX8GiJ
– International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) July 26, 2021
It’s a groundbreaking performance from Nashik-based Gujrathi, having scored some good victories along the way to reach the last eight. His victories came against compatriot B Adhiban (third round) and Jeffrey Xiong (fourth round).
In the quarterfinals, the Indian GM will face the winner of the match between Jan-Krzystof Duda (Poland) and Alexander Grischuk (Russia).
Gujrathi is the first Indian to reach the round of 16 since maestro Vishwanathan Anand emerged as the winner in 2000 and 2002.
Tournament favorite and world number one Norway’s Magnus Carlsen was limited in a draw in the second game by Russia’s Andrey Espineko and will play the tie-break on Tuesday to determine who advances to the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, American Sam Shankland booked the last eight spots with a 1.5-0.5 win over Peter Svidler (Russia).
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