Vincent makes winning move

After being Gukesh's 2nd for World Championship tie, Keymar is now gunning for his crown

- SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN @Chennai

IN 2024, Vincent Keymer traveled to Chennai with one short-term vision: Help D Gukesh win the World Championship. When he boarded the flight to Chennai less than two weeks ago, his vision had changed. Face Gukesh in the World Championship.

Winning the Chennai Grand Masters wouldn't guarantee a spot in the Candidates, but it would set him on the right path towards qualifying for it. First, it would put him on the right road ahead of two massive competitions—Grand Swiss and World Cup. Finish in the top two there, and that's a spot in the Candidates locked up (the World Cup also offers one for finishing third). A title in Chennai would also give him invaluable circuit points.

He ticked a big box on Thursday when he took an unassailable lead with one round to go. He needed a win to assure top spot, but considering he had a 1.5-point advantage, he knew a draw would be good enough. But the 21-year-old, a newly minted top-10 player in the Classical format, focused on concentrating on his own game. Up against Jorden van Foreest, a one-time second of Magnus Carlsen, both players produced elite chess before shaking their hands after 60 moves.