3rd-4th place: Caruana makes a fabulous comeback
Fabiano Caruana (USA) has had a great year so far. The first loss of the event against R Praggnanandhaa which cost him the spot in the Finals, definitely was a huge blow. It affected him in his first 3rd-4th place game as he made a terrible blunder and lost in 26 moves. However, Caruana bounced back today and showed everyone why he is the World no.3. If he wants to win in a must-win situation and even has a tiny sliver of hope, he will push and earn that victory.
Praggnanandhaa - Carlsen, Finals 8.2
GM R Praggnanandhaa (2707) knew that one does not play the Four Knights' Game with the white pieces with an intention of winning the game. After 5.Nxd4 in the above position, the teenager was sure what his opponent, GM Magnus Carlsen (NOR, 2835) was aiming for. He mentioned that he is not good in situations where he has to make a draw as he was not really convincing today according to him. We all Praggnanandhaa is a fighter, so he wants to play for a win in every game he plays as long as there is something to play for.
Caruana - Abasov, 3rd-4th place Round 8.2
29.Rxc3 Bxa2 30.Rcxc6 Re7 31.Rxa6 Re2 and it seemed like a long grind for GM Fabiano Caruana (USA, 2782) to win in a must-win situation. The grind turned out to be much shorter in terms of moves, than anyone could have fathomed.
55...Rc6 turned out to be the final mistake by Black. White had no trouble finding and executing the correct plan 56.Kh4 Re6 57.f5! Bxf5 58.Rf4 Re5 59.Rxh5 and Black resigned as g4 forces the rook exchange for e.g. 59...Ke6 60.g4 Bg6 61.Rxe5+ Kxe5 62.Kg5. Now White would like to play Rf6, Rxg6 as the resultant pawn endgame is winning for White.
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Video Gallery
Finals and 3rd-4th place Round 8.2 results
GM R Praggnanandhaa - GM Magnus Carlsen (NOR): 1-1
GM Nijat Abasov (AZE) - GM Fabiano Caruana (USA): 1-1
A total of two games in the Open took place in Round 8.2.
Prize
The total prize fund is US$ 1834000 in the Open and $676250 in the Women, with the first being $110000 and $50000 respectively.
