The 33-year-old Russian, a defeated world title challenger in 2021 and 2023, is in line for a third attempt as he leads in Toronto at halfway in the 14-round event
Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi leads at halfway in the €500k Candidates in Toronto, Canada, whose winner qualifies for a world title match later this year with the holder, China’s Ding Liren.
Scores after round seven (of 14): Nepomniachtchi (Russia) 4.5; Fabiano Caruana (US), Praggnanandhaa R and Gukesh D (both India) 4; Hikaru Nakamura (US) and Vidit Gujrathi (India) 3.5; Alireza Firouzja (France) 2.5; Nijat Abasov (Azerbaijan) 2.
