Nakamura and Caruana win to get back into contention after 10 rounds of the Candidates - 10
Nepomniachtchi played quite a solid Ruy Lopez line against Gukesh. The main point of interest seems to have been whether 19.c3 led anywhere, but this was a computer move rather than a human one. After 19.Rd3 a draw was favourite until the end of the game.
Hikaru Nakamura built up a very large advantage by move 18 against Nijat Abasov in a Petroff. Nakamura wasn't the most accurate after this but Abasov's position remained unenviable until 27.Bf4?! (27.g5 just getting on with the attack was winning) and suddenly not only was Nakamura not better but he was worse/losing. Then the game turned again 36...Qe7? (36...Bc7 was the best but not only good move for black) 37.Be5! and white was winning again. 38.Ne3! would have finished things off but event after 38.Ng3 Rxe5 the damage had been done and Nakamura went on to win.
Fabiano Caruana beat Alireza Firouzja in a really wild game. 6.Rg1 showed that Caruana knew this was a day he had to gamble. The game was really difficult, 13...Be6? was a mistake but both players missed that 14.Bxe6 was in fact winning for white after the accurate 14...fxe5 15.e5. 14.Be2 instead left white with nothing. The Open Candidates has no increment and this game was decided in time trouble with Firouzja wrecking his position just to make time control with only a few seconds for his final moves up to move 40.
Praggnanandhaa against Santosh Vidit saw solid play from both sides in a Ruy Lopez Berlin.
Round 10 Standings: 1st= Gukesh, Nepomniachtchi 6pts, 3rd= Praggnanandhaa, Nakamura, Caruana 5.5pts, 6th Vidit 5pts, 7th Firouzja 3.5pts, 8th Abasov 3pts.
Rest Day Tuesday 16th April
Round 11 17th April at 19:30BST: Praggnanandhaa-Nakamura, Vidit-Nepomniachtchi, Gukesh-Caruana, Firouzja-Abasov.