Three-Way Tie for Lead in Candidates Chess; Gukesh, Nakamura, and Nepomniachtchi Lead

After the 12th round of the Candidates Chess competition here, teenage Indian Grandmaster D. Gukesh put on another incredible display to break past Azerbaijan's Nijat Abasov's defenses and retake a share of the lead. However, R. Praggnanandhaa and Vidit Gujrathi withdrew from contention.

Now that American Hikaru Nakamura has defeated Frenchman Firouza Alireza, there is a three-way lead at the top.

Gukesh, Nakamura, and Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia, who drew with Praggnanandhaa, came into the lead overnight with 7.5 points each. Fabiano Caruana of the US is now leading the group with seven points.

Gujrathi is next with five points, while Praggnanandhaa is in fifth place with six points.

It is nearly impossible for the pair to place on the podium in the eight-player double round-robin competition, though, as there are just two rounds remaining.

Zhongyi Tan sealed the Chinese dominance in the women's division with a draw against Nurgyul Salimova of Bulgaria.

While Russia's Aleksandra Goryachkina was held to a draw by India's Koneru Humpy, R Vaishali won her second consecutive match.