Fabiano Caruana scored three straight victories on the final day of rapid and extended his lead over Wesley So to three points, going to the blitz segment of the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia. Wesley delivered a solid performance netting 4/6, while Levon Aronian, who drew with So in Round 7, defeated Anish Giri and Gukesh D and climbed to third position.

Round 7

In the key game of the round Fabiano Caruana comfortable equalized on the black side of Ragozin against Gukesh D but a single miss turned his position from fine to losing one.

Gukesh D - Fabiano Caruana

Fabiano just played 32…a5 which was met with 33. a4! White got rid of his a2-weakness and emerged clearly better thanks to his extra pawn in the center.

However, the young Indian first threw his advantage away and then completely misplayed an equal position and eventually lost.

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave defeated Vidit Gujrathi, while Alireza Firouzja beat the home player Ivan Saric.

Round 8

The leader did not get much out of the opening with white against Anish Giri, but the Dutchman’s decision to break through in the center with d6-d5 was refuted by Fabiano in a clinical fashion.

Facing Gukesh D, Levon Aronian ventured upon a queen sacrifice frowned upon by chess engines, but it eventually worked out very well for him as his opponent did not demonstrate necessary accuracy.

Vidit Gujrathi scored his first victory in the event over one of the leaders Alireza Firouzja after the Frenchman bungled an overwhelming position.

Alireza Firouzja - Vidit Gujrathi

After 36. Rf6+ Kg5 37. Bf7 Black is hopeless. Instead, Alireza played 36. e6? throwing most of his advantage. His troubles did not end there: 36…Rb3+ 37. Ke2 Rf3, Firouzja made another mistake 38. Rd1? Which proved to be the decisive one after precise 38…Kf6! | 0-1, 48 moves

Ivan Saric got a dangerous attack against Wesley So but spoiled it with several mistakes and capitulated on move 42.

Round 9

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave went wrong in a topical line of Ruy Lopez against Fabiano Caruana and lost a pawn without compensation. Fabiano committed an inaccuracy at some point but eventually he converted his extra material.

Levon Aronian scored his second straight victory after outplaying Anish Giri in a complicated middlegame.

Ian Nepomniachtchi bested Vidit after the Indian went for an erroneous rook sacrifice in a much better attacking position.

Vidit Gujrathi - Ian Nepomniachtchi

After 28. Rh4 a5 29. c4 White has a dangerous pressure. Vidit however played 28. Rxf6?? Apparently missing that after  28…Rxf6 the planned 29. Rxf6, with the idea of 29…gxf6 30 Bxf6 checkmate, fails to 29…Nxd5! As a result White had to play 29. Bxf6, but resigned just three moves later.

Day 4 of the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia continues Saturday, July 13th, with live commentary from GM Yasser Seirawan, GM Evgenij Miroshnichenko, and IM Jovanka Houska, and starting at 8:00 AM CDT. Tune in to the Saint Louis Chess Club's Twitch & YouTube channels.

Photos: Lennart Ootes

Official website: grandchesstour.org/