12th Norway Chess R8: Magnus Carlsen bests Praggnanandhaa in Armageddon, increases his sole lead
All three games of Round 8 were decided in Armageddon. Magnus Carlsen (NOR) found a precise finish in a knight vs bishop and three pawns endgame in Armageddon. Praggnanandhaa made one mistake in time trouble. That was enough for the endgame expert to seize his advantage and win the game and match. Hikaru Nakamura (USA) missed his opportunity against Alireza Firouzja (FRA) in the Classical battle. A mistake in Armageddon cost him the game. Magnus increased his sole lead to 14.5/24, Nakamura is at a full point behind 13.5/24, followed by Praggnanandhaa at 12/24. Fabiano Caruana (USA) won Armageddon against Ding Liren (CHN). Today is the last rest day. Round 9 starts tomorrow Thursday 6th June from 5 p.m. CET, 8:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Abhyudaya Ram
Armageddon decides all
Carlsen - Praggnanandhaa: 1.5-1
After losing the first encounter against Praggnanandhaa (2747), it was clear that Magnus Carlsen (NOR, 2830) wanted to win this match. He grinded an equal rook and few pawns endgame for 38 moves, more than half of the game. However, it was quite easy to play for Praggnanandhaa and it ended in a draw.
Armageddon
White's idea is simple, place his knight on f6, move the pawn to e5, king to e6, maneuver the knight to d6/d8 and sacrifice at f7 as the resultant endgame will be winning, thanks to his passed e-pawn. To prevent this idea, Black had to play 54...Kf8 now. If Black had time, he could have seen it. However, this is Armageddon and being extremely low on time, he missed this plan, played 54...Bd3?? 55.Nf6+- and White went on to win the game.
Ding - Caruana: 1-1.5
Ding Liren (CHN, 2762) got a development and space advantage out of the King's Indian opening against Fabiano Caruana (USA, 2805) in the Classical game. After getting a good position in a queenless middlegame, the game ended in a draw. The Armageddon ended in a draw via threefold repetition. Thus, Caruana won the match.
Firouzja - Nakamura: 1.5-1
Hikaru Nakamura (USA, 2794) got himself a good position in the middlegame against Alireza Firouzja (FRA, 2737).
30...c6 31.Qe1 Qxh5 would have kept the upper hand for Black. Instead, 30...Rd8 31.Qe1 Kh7 32.Qe1 Bxd2 33.Rxd2 Ne3 34.Qxf4 Qxf4 35.Nxf4 Nxc4 36.Re2 Rxd4 37.Nxh3 rushed towards a draw.
Firouzja won the Armageddon against Nakamura after the latter made an inaccuracy in a double rook and minor piece endgame.
Magnus Carlsen's best friends Askild and Odin broke the Guinness World Record for Longest Chess Marathon by playing blitz games for 61 consecutive hours.
Replay live stream
Replay Round 8 games
Round 8 results
Magnus Carlsen - Praggnanandhaa: 1.5-1
Ding Liren - Fabiano Caruana: 1-1.5
Alireza Firouzja - Hikaru Nakamura: 1.5-1
Standings after Round 8
Magnus Carlsen - 14.5/24
Hikaru Nakamura - 13.5/24
Praggnanandhaa - 12/24
Alireza Firouzja - 11/24
Fabiano Caruana - 9/24
Ding Liren - 4.5/24
Round 9 pairings
Format
6 players will take part in the Tournament.
The Tournament is a double-round event with Armageddon.
The Tournament consists of 10 rounds.
Time Control
Each player will have 120 minutes on the clock with an increment of 10 seconds starting from move 41. The time control for the Armageddon game: white has 10 minutes and black has 7 minutes with an increment for both players of 1 second per move, starting from move 41.
Draw by Mutual Agreement
Players are not allowed to agree to a draw until at least 30 moves have been made by each player. This rule does not apply to Armageddon games.
Armageddon
If the classical game is drawn, an Armageddon game will be played. It shall start within 20 minutes of the conclusion of the classical game. The player with White pieces will continue with White in Armageddon. If the Armageddon game is drawn, black will win.
Points
Players will get the following points per round:
Win in the classical game: 3 points
Loss in the classical game: 0 points
Draw in the classical game & win Armageddon: 1½ points
Draw in the classical game & loss Armageddon: 1 point
Schedule
From 27th May to 7th June, every day game starts at 5 p.m. local time and 8:30 p.m. IST. Rest days are on Friday 31st May and Wednesday 5th June.
Prize money
Prize Money The total prize fund of the Tournament is 1690000 NOK. Distribution of Prize money occurs as followed:
1st - NOK 700000
2nd - NOK 350000
3rd - NOK 200000
4th - NOK 170000
5th - NOK 150000
6th - NOK 120000
Watch the tournaments live at the venue:
SR-Bank in Stavanger City.
Address: Christen Tranes Gate 35, 4007 Stavanger
All tickets are purchased directly at the venue. No pre-sale.
It is possible to reserve tickets, however, this is normally not necessary due to good capacity at the venue. Reserve your ticket by e-mailing the desired dates and names to: bjorn@norwaychess.com.
Ticket prices per day:
Adults: 200 NOK
Children: 100 NOK
Family: 400 NOK
Links
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