12th Norway Chess R9: Ding Liren massacres Hikaru Nakamura in Armageddon
For the second consecutive round, all games of the penultimate round of 12th Norway Chess 2024 were decided in Armageddon. Not only the games were decided in Armageddon but also had clear victors means there was no decision based on clock or a draw by black. Alireza Firouzja (FRA) missed his opportunity to win against Magnus Carlsen (NOR) in Armageddon. The world champion, Ding Liren (CHN) completely decimated Hikaru Nakamura (USA) in Armageddon. Fabiano Caruana (USA) also got the better of Praggnanandhaa in the ultimate form of tie-break, Armageddon. Round 10 starts today from 5 p.m. CET, 8:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Norway Chess/Stev Bonhage
Magnus is just a Classical win away from clinching the tournament
Hikaru Nakamura jokingly mentioned in the Confession booth that the players are not getting paid to make appearance and share their thoughts during their game. He added that if they did then he will make appear there a lot more than on the board. Well, the world champion reminded the streamer that he does all the talking on the board. He is a world champion and once went for an unbeaten streak of 100 games for a reason. It is mathematically no longer possible for Ding Liren to avoid a last place finish at this event. However, his win in the penultimate round showed that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. No matter how dark it gets, every dawn destroys the seemingly unending dark night.
Firouzja - Carlsen: 1-1.5
Unlike their first encounter at this event, the Classical game between Alireza Firouzja (FRA, 2737) and Magnus Carlsen (NOR, 2830) ended in a draw. This ensured Hikaru Nakamura's mathematical chances of winning the tournament. It was clear that Magnus was playing for a win in Armageddon, even though a draw was enough for him to win the match.
Armageddon
32...Rxf3?? 33.Ne7+! Kh7 34.Qe4+ Kh8 35.Nf5 would have given White a decide advantage. Instead, Firouzja played 33.Rxf3 Qxf3+ 34.Qxf3 Rxf3 35.Nxd4 exd4 36.Ra1?? d3 would have been a quick win for Black. After a few misses by both sides, eventually Magnus won the game and match.
Nakamura - Ding: 1-1.5
Ding Liren (CHN, 2762) managed to hold a four vs three pawns in a rook endgame against Hikaru Nakamura (USA, 2794). Nakamura's aggressive approach in Armageddon did not work out against the world champion.
Armageddon
Nakamura's attack did not yield anything 16...hxg5 17.Bxg5 Re8 18.c5 Bc7 19.Nb2 Qd7 20.Bxf6 gxf6 21.Nh4 f5 and Black eventually won the game. We got a glimpse of the Ding Liren we all know in this game.
Caruana - Praggnanandhaa: 1.5-1
The Classical game was a well-contested draw between Fabiano Caruana (USA, 2805) and Praggnanandhaa (2747).
Armageddon
Black had to make a difficult choice to save either a5 or d5-pawn. 23...Qa7 was played 24.Bxa5 Rd7 25.Bc3 d4 26.exd4 cxd4 27.Rxe8+ Nxe8 28.Bb4 and White went on to win the game.
Replay live stream
Replay Round 9 games
Round 9 results
Alireza Firouzja - Magnus Carlsen: 1-1.5
Hikaru Nakamura - Ding Liren: 1-1.5
Fabiano Caruana - Praggnanandhaa: 1-1.5
Standings after Round 9
Magnus Carlsen - 16/27
Hikaru Nakamura - 14.5/27
Praggnanandhaa - 13/27
Alireza Firouzja - 12/27
Fabiano Caruana - 10.5/27
Ding Liren - 6/27
Round 10 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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