GM Magnus Carlsen certified for the Pace Chess Championship 2024 Semifinals, reside in Paris on September 6, after defeating GM Arjun Erigaisi with a 12-9 rating. He’ll play GM Hans Niemann within the subsequent match, the primary time they’ll meet for a recreation in-person since 2022, although they’ll play on a pc and never on a chessboard.
The final quarterfinal match will probably be GM Hikaru Nakamura vs. GM Ian Nepomniachtchi. That will probably be on Friday, August 9, beginning at 3:00 p.m. ET / 21:00 CEST / 12:30 a.m. IST (August 10).
Pace Chess Championship 2024 Bracket
Magnus Carlsen 12-9 Arjun Erigaisi
SmarterChess predicted a victory for Carlsen with 64 % odds, anticipating Carlsen scoring two factors extra in every of the segments. After attaining a five-point lead within the first two segments, Carlsen took his foot off the fuel within the bullet, nevertheless it was nonetheless sufficient to win the match.
Blitz 5+1: Carlsen 4.5-2.5 Arjun
Carlsen took the early lead within the first section, one which he was capable of increase within the second.
The match began with each gamers dropping on time within the first three video games. In recreation one, Carlsen was a lot better however did not need to proceed proving the benefit; in recreation three, after a draw, Carlsen was only one transfer away from forcing a queen commerce and draw when his clock hit zero.
From there, nevertheless, the previous world champion gained velocity and strung collectively two wins. The primary one was a mannequin efficiency in easy methods to play with an remoted pawn. After liquidating his weak spot, the exercise of his items overwhelmed the opponent. GM Rafael Leitao explains the Sport of the Day from starting to finish under.
However Arjun returned the favor the following recreation, pouncing on the chance when Carlsen blundered a full knight with 43…Nxf4??.
Within the final recreation of the section, Arjun was a pawn up, however Black had full compensation with the bishop pair. GM Robert Hess defined, “Arjun, he was attempting his finest to discover a victory from a place that objectively was truly even,” and it backfired. Carlsen went on to make the most of his over-extended opponent, together with his bishops raking throughout the open board.
It was a two-point lead for the Norwegian grandmaster, and it might proceed to develop.
Blitz 3+1: Carlsen 5-2 Arjun
The gamers traded blows for the primary half of the section, however within the second half Carlsen ballooned his result in 5 factors, 9.5-4.5.
After dropping the primary recreation, Carlsen got here again in recreation two with a positional strangle, prompting Hess to remark, “That is strategic distress for Arjun Erigaisi… Black can hardly transfer.” After Black’s 17…f5, Carlsen took management of the darkish squares on e5 and c5, focusing on three black weaknesses, and finally completed the sport with a kingside assault.
Two video games later, Arjun confirmed that he can outplay arguably historical past’s biggest endgame participant. Though he misplaced the match, he is 20 years previous and bettering—having jumped from world number-30 to number-four earlier this 12 months.
Carlsen received the final three video games of the section to take a five-point lead. One of many nicest was his conversion of the following rook endgame, which the pc calls equal regardless of the additional pawn, however could be a nightmare to defend in opposition to the endgame maestro.
Carlsen will get the W from this “equal place.” What could be the most certainly consequence if you happen to had been taking part in?https://t.co/DrNbkeFC8K#SpeedChess pic.twitter.com/gejzcuLs2P
— chess24 (@chess24com) August 8, 2024
Bullet 1+1: Carlsen 2.5-4.5 Arjun
Maybe feeling optimistic with a five-point lead, Carlsen fooled round fairly a bit on this section, taking part in opening concepts he may not strive if the match had been nearer. Regardless of dropping the bullet by two factors, he nonetheless received the match by three.
His most adventurous thought got here in recreation two, when he sacrificed his queen for 2 minor items and two pawns. He finally did attain a fortress, however when he opened his kingside with 35…h6, maybe pushing for extra, it backfired.
One other cavalier resolution was taking part in 11.Ke2? within the remaining recreation, although Carlsen knew a loss would change nothing. Whereas it is typically an thought if the middle is closed, Arjun went on to search out that sitting duck.
Carlsen performs the delayed Bongcloud with two minutes left on the match clock!https://t.co/FL4JkLEo9x#SpeedChess pic.twitter.com/V9wDk1ynsg
— chess24 (@chess24com) August 8, 2024
Carlsen earns $7,857.14 whereas Arjun leaves the event with $2,142.86.
Carlsen was sullen within the interview. He stated he wasn’t feeling nicely after a sleepless evening and that, for his requirements, he did not play nicely within the match.
Truthfully, I got here into this match feeling actually poor, like I used to be barely capable of sleep final evening so I might’ve anticipated to play poorly and actually I feel my play was constantly fairly meh all through, so I do not really feel like an excessive amount of modified. Particularly my play in time hassle was abysmal.”
He stated he watched Niemann’s 30-minute interview the day earlier than, however did not have a lot so as to add—sharing that he is given his perspective in a documentary that is nonetheless to be launched. As for his or her upcoming match, he’d favor a unique opponent, however: “He is taking part in fairly nicely. I feel if I’ve an honest day I am going to in all probability win with out too many points.”
Carlsen on Niemann’s interview: “Nothing notably new or stunning. I’ve form of stated my piece on digital camera in a documentary that is coming in some unspecified time in the future.”
“He is taking part in fairly nicely. I feel if I’ve an honest day I am going to in all probability win with out too many points.”#SpeedChess pic.twitter.com/ArItvxGWDw
— chess24 (@chess24com) August 8, 2024
He’s maintaining with the Olympics in Paris, and his favourite sports activities to observe are observe and discipline, basketball, and golf.
Lastly, Hess requested for his perspective concerning the final quarterfinal match, between Nakamura and Nepomniachtchi. Carlsen wasn’t too excited: “If Ian performs something like he is performed the previous couple of occasions he is performed the Pace Chess Championship, he has completely no likelihood.” He completed with, “I would not maintain my breath.”
The Pace Chess Championship is Chess.com’s most essential velocity chess occasion. A few of the largest names in chess compete to find out one of the best velocity chess participant on the earth. The primary occasion began with qualifiers on June 27 and 28 and concludes with the first-ever Ultimate on September 8, reside in Paris. The video games are performed with time controls of 5+1, 3+1, and 1+1. The prize fund is $173,000.
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