Berlin GP: Undefeated Aronian and Nakamura advance to the Finals
Levon Aronian and Hikaru Nakamura continues their unbeaten streak at FIDE Berlin GP to advance to the Finals. Both of them have played fantastic in the event so far. While Aronian had a relatively smooth ride to the Finals, the Speed King, Nakamura almost was on the brink of elimination against Esipenko. The finalists drew their respective games against Leinier Dominguez Perez and Richard Rapport with ease. It will be interesting to see which of the two player's undefeated streak comes to an end at the Finals. Who do you think will win the Berlin GP - Aronian or Nakamura? Today is a rest day. Final game 1 starts tomorrow Tuesday 15th February at 7:30 p.m. IST. Photo: World Chess
Leinier and Rapport get eliminated
"It's nice I guess, probably not expected. I felt that I have played well. I don't think I have done anything super special. When you are solid and you take advantage of the few options that you have, then good things seem to happen. Yesterday's game also had moments that could have gone both ways. I tried to play for more and it worked out. Very easily it could have been the other way. So it's nice but not really that big of a deal." - Nakamura on advancing to the Finals despite being inactive in Classical chess for over two years.
"No, just generally I just want to improve as a player, work on my chess and continue doing what I love. It's not really directed towards any special goal. Of course some of the work I did pays off but this is an ongoing process that you need to continue working and not really thinking what are you working for." - Aronian when asked if he has been aiming specifically to get a spot Candidates 2022.
Rapport - Nakamura: 0.5-0.5
Nakamura had an initiative in the final position before he accepted draw against Rapport.
Since a draw was enough for Nakamura to advance to the Finals, there was no point in playing further. It goes without saying that, if the tournament situation was different, he would have certainly played for maximizing his advantage.
Leinier - Aronian: 0.5-0.5
Leinier and Aronian had a calm draw.
Replay Semifinal games
Semifinal results
Time control
The time control for each standard game in pools and play-off is: 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move 1. In case if a player arrives at the chessboard with a delay of up to 15 minutes from the actual start of the game, he/she should be charged of five hundred (500) euros deducted from his/her prize money. In case of delay of more than 15 minutes, the player loses the game (without financial penalty).
Draw
The players cannot draw any game by mutual agreement before black’s 30th move. A claim for a draw before black’s 30th move is permitted only in the case of a draw by repetition.
Prize
Each Grand Prix tournament has a total prize fund - €150000.
