World Fischer Random 2022 R5-6: Carlsen, Nakamura and Nepo join Abdusattorov in the Semifinals
Iceland no.1 Hjorvar Steinn Gretarsson won his first game of World Fischer Random Championship 2022 against the defending champion Wesley So. The now former champion, So redeemed himself by defeating Abdusattorov. It was his first and only loss of the event so far. Ian Nepomniachtchi finished second in Group A to secure his place in the Semifinals, while Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura finished first and second respectively in Group B to advance to the next stage. It will be Abdusattorov vs Nakamura and Carlsen vs Nepomniachtchi in the Semifinals. Today is a rest day. Best of four Semifinals start tomorrow, Saturday 29th October at 3 p.m. GMT, 8:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/David Llada
A new world champion will be crowned
The elimination of the defending champion Wesley So means a new World Fischer Random champion is guaranteed to be crowned on this Sunday 30th October 2022. Will Abdusattorov continue his phenomenal run or Nakamura remind the world he is the speed king? The second semifinal between Carlsen and Nepomniachtchi is certainly exciting too, considering their history at the World Championship 2021 and the aftermath of Candidates 2022.
Group A Round 5: So - Gretarsson: 1-1
Wesley So did not have a good start. The Iceland no.1 picked up his first win of the event against the now former World Fischer Random champion.
So - Gretarsson, Game 1
White played 55.Qb8 and got himself checkmated Qh7+ 56. Kg4 Nf2+ 57.Kg3 Qh3#. So being such a gentleman and great sport, he allowed his opponent to deliver the checkmate. 55.Qe5 pinning the knight would have prolonged the game a bit more.
Nepomniachtchi - Abdusattorov: 0-2
The reigning World Rapid champion, Nodirbek Abdusattorov again got the better of the World Championship Challenger, Ian Nepomniachtchi twice.
Nepomniachtchi - Abdusattorov, Game 1
15.Bb4 was a huge mistake as after Rd5, there is no good way to save the game for White. In the second game also, Nepomniachtchi's king became vulnerable and got dominated by Abdusattorov's pieces.
Group B: Fedoseev - Carlsen: 0.5-1.5
Magnus Carlsen missed a win against Vladimir Fedoseev in their first game. Fedoseev made a great escape with a stalemate combination.
Fedoseev - Carlsen, Game 1
42...Qc2 actually does not make an unstoppable checkmate threat. In fact, it allows White to escape. Can you find it? In the second game, the world champion made a short work in just 23 moves.
Group A Round 6: Abdusattorov - So: 0.5-1.5
Nodirbek Abdusattorov suffered his first defeat of the event against Wesley So.
Abdusattorov - So, Game 1
50.Kb2 is what cost White the game. The counter-intutitive 50.Kd2 would have saved the day for White.
Group B: Carlsen - Nakamura: 1-1
The first game was a barnburner between Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura. It will certainly serve as a prelude if they eventually face each other in the finals.
Carlsen - Nakamura, Game 1
At a first glance, it is hard to believe that 17.Ngxe5+ is not the best move because 17...Ke8 18.Qd3 Ne4. Now White is forced to give up his king to protect the f2-pawn and avoid the peril for his king. 19.0-0 fxe5 20.Bxe5 White might have two pawns and enough compensation for the knight, but not for long. Soon Nakamura got himself a decisive advantage.
Savin the rook should have been a priority for Black. 28...Rxb4 would have been fine for Black. He got another chance to play it after 28...Qc3 29.Kf1, however he didn't and the game ended in a draw. The second game was also another exciting draw.
Final standings after Group stage
Replay Round 5-6 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
Links
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Speed King Hikaru Nakamura becomes World Fischer Random Champion
@ 31/10/2022 by Shahid Ahmed (en) |
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World Fischer Random 2022 SF: Nakamura to face Nepomniachtchi in the Finals, Carlsen crashes out
@ 30/10/2022 by Shahid Ahmed (en) |
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World Fischer Random 2022 R3-4: Abdusattorov storms into Semifinals
@ 27/10/2022 by Shahid Ahmed (en) |
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World Fischer Random 2022 R1-2: Abdusattorov shines against Nepomniachtchi and So
@ 26/10/2022 by Shahid Ahmed (en) |
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World Fischer Random Championship 2022 starts today in Reykjavik, Iceland
@ 25/10/2022 by Shahid Ahmed (en) |
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Wesley So to defend his FIDE World Fischer Random title
@ 20/08/2022 by Shahid Ahmed (en) |