Hikaru Nakamura vs Alireza Firouzja | FIDE Candidates 2024 | Round 12

GM Daniel King examines the game Hikaru Nakamura vs Alireza Firouzja, FIDE Candidates 2024. Support on Patreon: 🔥 / powerplaychess ►Support via PayPal: www.paypal.com/paypalme/Power...
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[@PowerPlayChess]

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[@Max-dm4uv]

Your analyses are excellent - I'm always impressed. However, Hikaru also analyzes his games on his channel. Therefore, I would prefer it if you could analyze a different game."

[@user-ni4tv6xq7f]

For the upcoming round, I'm hoping for Nepo to draw his game against Hikaru, and for Gukesh to secure a draw against Alireza, with Fabi clinching a win against Prag. This would set the stage for a thrilling final round, with all four contenders tied at 8 points each. The showdown would feature Fabi vs. Nepo and Gukesh vs. Hikaru-an epic finale to the tournament!

[@baoboumusic]

I'm actually hoping for a Gukesh win on Saturday. That should put everyone on edge for Sunday and ensure the maximum amount of carnage in the final round. We don't want everyone to play it safe and head for tiebreaks.

[@timkokesh1968]

It seems like Nakamura has really been thriving in chaotic positions throughout the tournament. It’s been great to watch!

[@joanlandkamer9439]

At 6:05 a bunch of arrows suddenly appear, and I realized that must have been something you set up beforehand. It really brought home how black's pieces are suddenly under attack - great visual. it also gave me an idea that sometime you could make a video about how you make videos, i.e. take us through the process and describe some of the issues and decisions.

[@PowerPlayChess]

There's not much mystery to how I make the videos. I analyse the game, choose a few key moments to highlight, pick out some themes, and then record!

[@tejas4039]

Hikaru said the early Qa4 is just to prevent black from playing Ba6 later in the game (exchanging light square bishops). Now with Qa4, black goes Bd7 and Bb5 is not strong now.

[@markmcnulty7736]

Hikaru explains Qa4 in his recap video

[@rbnn]

The bishop on d7 is worse for black than on c8 because if the bishop were on c8 then after …b6 it could develop to a6.

[@padraiggluck2980]

Hikaru was truly impressive in this game. Firouzja knew that d3 was losing (see his facial expression and posture as he made the move) but Hikaru still had to win a won game and Firouzja defended stoutly. But in the end he could not avoid the inevitable.

[@LateCloser]

What a crazy game out of seemingly tame start. It looks like Alireza has a chance to pick the winner. If he plays erratic against Gukesh, that might be enough to propel the youngest player in the tournament to the lead! I suspect Naka will be in full "I want a draw" against Nepo mode. Great finish.

[@joseraulcapablanca8564]

A thriller, both tried unusual things in a “drawish” position.Both showed nerves, Both played some great stuff Naka got there in the end. A great tournament keeps on delivering. Thanks Daniel.

[@johnfarragut2185]

The Candidates continues to prove its reputation as the best event in chess

[@motoquasi]

Wow! Go Hikaru and Gukesh!

[@paulgreen7906]

Well that was a strange game! Might as well throw all the pieces in the air and play from where they land. Great analysis as always Daniel. Anyway 2 games to go and my picks Gukesh (head choice) and Fabi (heart choice ) are in contention. This is a brilliant candidates tournament.

[@andrewhaldenby4949]

Daniel ty! Would you consider doing a video on grandmasters and time trouble? I guess we all understand the basic idea that it’s good to have time - but then why do some many top players run short of time? Are they getting benefits from extra focus and adrenaline? Have attitudes to time pressure changed over time?

[@AllThisOverASliceOfGabagool]

This would be a great video!

[@PowerPlayChess]

Some positions need more time investment - the ones where you need to calculate. It's that simple!

[@ojas3464]

Alekhine criticizes his own move in a Nottingham 1936 Game that his ? Move in time pressure is like a law-breaker's claim about being drunk during the perpetration; A Master's inability to manage his time is inexcusable. (My paraphrasing him)

[@abhishekkj9664]

​@@PowerPlayChess Atleast 10 second increment was necessary

[@jasonrawls6959]

Hikaru was saying theres variations where black plays b6 and Ba6 and Qa4 prevents that idea or something like that

[@heroditusopus1]

As ever, first class analysis from Daniel. Thank you

[@iniohos2]

2:32 Ok, I'll only try this in chess tournaments.

[@luaraguiar819]

I can't describe how brilliant are your analysis, Sir. Thank you so much for them.

[@royprovins7037]

Games like this tell me chess will never be played out

[@robinesperoza]

Fascinating game. I hope Firourza takes a break and comes back like a phoenix. This candidates couldn't have been more exciting. I am rooting for Pragg, but it seems his chances are close to zero. -.- If only he had spotted Bb1 idea against Nepo. Thanks for the great coverage. I can't watch it live so look forward to your videos.

[@manoftheforest7505]

Pragg's chances are in fact equal to zero. He has to catch up 1.5 points, but the problem is that there are still 3 games between top-4 players left to be played, so some of them will certainly score points. More precisely, the top-4 players will score at least 3 more points together, which means that the no.1 player will end up with a score of at least 8.5.

[@robinesperoza]

@@manoftheforest7505 Ugh, well luckily Pragg will be back in two years time.

[@mazyarseyedi3148]

Very interesting game

[@emorkTLK]

can't be more exciting :)

[@pbezunartea]

It's feels like you didn't even watch Hikaru's recap, where he explains his opening moves... 😕

[@EdMcF1]

2:29 Hikaru turns into Nelson.

[@richardmcdougall6161]

Hikaru's superficial preparation coming to the fore! 😂 He's now favourite. Could it be any more exciting? Still think Nepo will squeak this though.

[@PowerPlayChess]

I'm still not impressed by the openings! But Naka is tremendous in tense positions.

[@christianbay3507]

I'm can't stop feeling sad for Wesley So. Got the starting spot robbed because of firouzas fake tournament shenanigans just to see a teenager tilting and throwing away games.

[@dorgeshuun]

The controversial Chartres "mini-matches" played by Firouzja were not rated by FIDE though. He gained the highest ranking qualifying spot by playing the Open de Rouen which, although a minor event, was legit.

[@roberlevi]

I'd like to see more videos with that blonde girls whose name I don't know ... she does an excelent job analyzing chess games...

[@joanlandkamer9439]

Svitlana is covering the women's games, and I'm sure there will be more videos. I agree - Daniel chose his sidekick well.

[@breamoreboy]

Do we need a stalemate game for the icing on the cake?

[@PowerPlayChess]

We do.

[@photopro28]

I think Alireza has been the most underperforming!

[@AlonsoRules]

4 wins out of the last 5 games and still level with draw master Nepo - imagine 2 points for a win, it would encourage everyone to play for a win

[@MiloIBATA]

He looks like Knull

[@angelcow189]

Finally a recap of a Naka win. I almost thought this was an anti Hikaru channel lol

[@PowerPlayChess]

Some viewers ask me to look at games other than Hikaru's, as they prefer to watch his recap videos and get the news straight from the horse's mouth. I can't win!

[@whateverittakes1673]

GM King used to cover him more but Nakamura has had so many near misses over the years its almost heartbreaking for fans. Magnus was always the final boss he couldn't get through. Now there's no Magnus and Nakamura can truly say there's nothing between him and the guy ahead of him. HE couldn't say that 10 years ago. Now he has a real chance. That makes this game worth covering.

[@PhilipSalen]

Poor Firouja, he is better than this

[@iljabirman3397]

Since magnus is not playing this Tournament is obsolet

[@AllThisOverASliceOfGabagool]

Oh be quiet. It's not obsolete. Is it devalued slightly? Yes. But they can only beat who is in front of them. Phil Taylor was ranked #2 in the world for some spells of his darts career yet he was clearly better than Colin Lloyd who held #1 spot by virtue of attending every small event while Taylor focused on the more lucrative ones. Nobody in their right mind saw Colin Lloyd as the best player, same as how nobody would say Caruana is better than Carlsen.

[@iljabirman3397]

@@AllThisOverASliceOfGabagool the best Player in chess of all time still in His Prime Not playing 😉

[@iljabirman3397]

Embarresment

[@faciendminuend7347]

Nonsense. If Carlsen is lacking the ambition or interest then so be it. These are needed as well as 'chess' ability.

[@whateverittakes1673]

Nope. Magnus took his pieces and went home, that is purely on him. He doesn't get to keep being champ if he won't play. The winner of this cycle and the Championship match to come will be a very qualified and true champ because they did the process right. If Magnus wants to come out of retirement and risk embarrassment to show everyone he is still the guy, then I'm all for it.