What a dramatic final of the Candidates Tournament. We haven't had a final like this in a long time. Four players had a chance to get the long-for challenger's spot, but fate only smiled on one of them, none other than Dommaraju Gukesh, the new Indian superstar.

( Wikimedia Commons)

The talented young man won the tournament with 9 points out of a possible 14, half a point ahead of his closest pursuers. He only lost one game and had to fight against everyone until the very last round, facing and drawing against Hikaru Nakamura, who also had a chance of winning the event.

However, fate, so to speak, was on his side. Fabiano Caruana, the other American star was about to win his game against Nepomniachtchi to tie against Gukesh and force a playoff. However, Caruana lost control in the game and could only draw despite having an overwhelming advantage.

In the press conference you can see how both Caruana and Nepo feel dejected because they were risking everything only to be severely disappointed. Caruana called himself "stupid" for not being able to realize advantages that clearly seemed trivial.

In fact, the position I have chosen for this occasion is from that game that decided the entire tournament. Here, Nepo has a way to draw, something he didn't exactly find now. It's very complicated, but do your best to find it to improve your chess.

At a later time, we will take a closer look at the games and puzzles of the official challenger Dommaraju Gukesh who will eventually face the reigning champion Ding Liren.

Do you want to exercise your tactical skills a little? Then solve this chess puzzle. Indicate the correct move and a full continuation. If you want, you can point out the tactical motives and other patterns present.

I also want to invite you to participate in the many chess tournaments on lichess.org. If you play chess online, join in! Free registration.

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Qué final más dramática del Torneo de Candidatos. Hacía mucho tiempo que no teníamos una final así. Cuatro jugadores tuvieron la oportunidad de conseguir el ansiado puesto de retador, pero el destino sólo sonrió a uno de ellos, nada menos que Dommaraju Gukesh, la nueva superestrella india.

( Wikimedia Commons)

El talentoso joven ganó el torneo con 9 puntos de 14 posibles, medio punto por delante de sus más inmediatos perseguidores. Sólo perdió una partida y tuvo que luchar contra todos hasta la última ronda, enfrentándose y empatando a Hikaru Nakamura, quien también tenía posibilidades de ganar el evento.

Sin embargo, el destino, por así decirlo, estaba de su lado. Fabiano Caruana, la otra estrella estadounidense estuvo a punto de ganar su partido contra Nepomniachtchi para empatar contra Gukesh y forzar un desempate. Sin embargo, Caruana perdió el control del partido y sólo pudo empatar a pesar de tener una ventaja abrumadora.

En la rueda de prensa se puede ver cómo tanto Caruana como Nepo se sienten abatidos porque lo arriesgaron todo para quedar muy decepcionados. Caruana se calificó a sí mismo de "estúpido" por no poder aprovechar ventajas que claramente parecían triviales.