History repeats itself after 50 years

Hikaru Nakamura is not only a fantastic player, a great ambassador of the sport too. A fearless player on the board, a great entertainer who has spread the game among the masses by streaming on his channel. He became a top chess streamer on his own accord, landed several deals including a cameo as himself in the critically acclaimed, award winning show 'Billions'. After Wesley So, once again the new World Fischer Random champion is also an American.

Hikaru Nakamura is the new World Fischer Random Champion | Photo: FIDE/David Llada

When the Norwegian TV asked how it felt to finally get the things he was trying not to care too much about – a world title and a big payday –  he said: “Yeah, it’s nice! I kind of wish it had been smoother … but I’m glad that I prevailed. I thought a bit about 1972 (the Fischer-Spassky match in Reykjavik) last night. There’s some irony, I guess the gods have a sense of humor.”

Finals: Nakamura - Nepomniachtchi: 3*-2

Hikaru Nakamura (USA) employed his sharp tactical skills in an already advantageous position against Ian Nepomniachtchi in the first game.

Nepomniachthi - Nakamura, Game 1

Position after 29.Rfd1

White was already reeling. 29.Rfd1 did not help his case. Nakamura struck 29...Rxe4 30.fxe4 Bxc1 31.Rxd8 Qg5+ and went on to win the game comfortably.

Nakamura - Nepomniachtchi, Game 2

Position after 39...Rc1+

White could have opted for 40.Kg2 Qxd5+ 41.Qe4 Rc2+ 42.Kg1 Rc1+ 43.Kf2 and Black is almost forced to exchange the queens. The resultant rook endgame would be winning for White. However, Nakamura decided against it and played it safe by allowing a perpetual check to maintain his lead 1.5-0.5.

Nakamura - Nepomniachtchi, Game 3

Position after 37.Rd2

Nakamura's vulnerable king made it quite difficult for him to defend. 37.Rd2 did not help his case Qc5 38.Ke2 Rc3 39.Rd3 now Rc2+ would have finished things a bit faster, however he opted for 39...Qc4 and delayed the inevitable. Nepomniachtchi leveled the score 1.5-1.5. The fourth game was a quick 15-move draw. Thus, the score tied at 2-2. Nakamura got the

Nakamura - Nepomniachtchi, Armageddon

Position after 26.Rbe1

White had a completely dominating position after 26.Rbe1. With the threat of Nxg4 looming large, Nepomniachtchi made a desperate sacrifice Rxe5 27.Rxe5 and Nakamura went on to win the Armageddon comfortably. It also earned him his first World title.

Dear YouTube, Meet Your New World Champion | Video: GMHikaru

Hikaru Nakamura might have suffered the sole loss of the event against Ian Nepomniachtchi... | Photo: FIDE/David Llada

Nepomniachtchi tweeted on the Armageddon in the Finals

Hikaru Nakamura retweeted his community moderator Aneet's tweet

The smile of a World Champion - Hikaru Nakamura | Photo: Lennart Ootes

...However, the Speed King won the game when it mattered the most | Photo: FIDE/David Llada

Magnus Carlsen defeated Nodirbek Abdusattorov 3-1 to finish third | Photo: FIDE/David Llada

Wesley So (USA) lost the 5th-6th place match against Vladimir Fedoseev 1-3 | Photo: FIDE/David Llada

7th-8th: Matthias Bluebaum (GER) - Hjorvar Steinn Gretarsson (ISL): 3-1 | Photo: David Llada/FIDE

* - Nakamura won the Armageddon

Replay Finals and Playoff games

Prize

The semifinals and finals will be elimination matches, and the final day will also see duels involving all the players to determine each of the prize spots, depending on where they placed earlier. Besides the FIDE world title at stake, the players will be competing for a purse of USD 400,000 and a hefty first prize of $150,000.

Schedule

World Fischer Random Championship 2022 schedule | Photo: Official site

Links

Official site

Tournament Regulations