Fabiano Caruana continues his dominant form at the 2023 Grand Swiss Tournament, surpassing the 2800 Elo mark and joining Magnus Carlsen as the only players above this incredible barrier. Despite already securing his spot at the Candidates, Caruana is making the most of his contractual obligation to participate in the prestigious open event. With almost all of the world’s top 100 players in attendance and two Candidates spots up for grabs, Caruana’s flawless performance is commendable.
In round two, Caruana faced off against the controversial Hans Niemann, whom he had previously defeated at the US Chess Championship. This time, Caruana wielded the White pieces in a Ruy Lopez, opting for a line that Niemann typically avoids. Although Niemann managed to dodge Caruana’s recently released course on the Archangel variation, he couldn’t escape Caruana’s lethal play.
Caruana’s decision to decline a queen trade and enter a slightly worse endgame proved to be a strategic move. With his active queen and rook, Caruana swiftly dismantled Niemann’s seemingly solid queenside. Faced with a two-pawn deficit and a dangerous passer, Niemann conceded defeat after the time control.
Caruana now boasts a perfect 2/2 score at the tournament, a feat matched by only a few other players. In contrast, Hikaru Nakamura started with two draws and narrowly avoided defeat twice, while Alireza Firouzja began his campaign with a 1.5/2 score. These two players are the main contenders for the Elo-based spot at the Candidates Tournament. A poor performance at the Grand Swiss could jeopardize their chances, not only by missing out on the automatic spots but also by falling behind in the ratings race.
Caruana, on the other hand, has no such worries. Having already secured his invitation to the World Cup and leading the FIDE Circuit, he can focus on his impressive performances without pressure. Reclaiming his position above 2800 on the ratings list, alongside Magnus Carlsen, is a remarkable achievement in an era of ratings deflation. Caruana’s calm and consistent play throughout the year solidifies his already exceptional career.
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Source: DOTESPORTS
