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World Fischer Random 2022 SF: Nakamura to face Nepomniachtchi in the Finals, Carlsen crashes out

by Shahid Ahmed - 30/10/2022

Very few would have predicted that Hikaru Nakamura and Ian Nepomniachtchi will be the finalists of World Fischer Random Championship 2022. Nodirbek Abdusattorov was in terrific form and Magnus Carlsen did not show any chink in his armor. However, the Viking seemed to be off his game and Nakamura schooled the world rapid champion with his creative and sharp play. The Uzbek had his fair share of chances, however he did not manage to seize any of them. The world champion losing three games in-a-row in an over-the-board event is extremely rare, probably unprecedented too. Who do you think will win the Finals between Nakamura and Nepomniachtchi? The Finals start at 3 p.m. GMT, 8:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/David Llada

A day full of surprises

All seven games of the Semifinal were decisive. One thing can be concluded that if theory is eliminated, the odds of games ending in a draw diminishes by a lot. Hikaru Nakamura is undoubtedly the odds-on favorite at the Finals against Ian Nepomniachtchi. If you are wondering why, here is the recent statisctics - Nakamura has won six games, drawn nine and lost none. Meanwhile, Nepomniachtchi has had only decisive games in this event so far - won ten games and lost six. So it is clear that the Finals is going to be the battle of epic proportion. The Speed King earned himself a golden opportunity to win a world title, something that has eluded him all his career so far. Today just might be his day.


Will Carlsen win it all or Abdusattorov sneak past him? | Photo: FIDE/David Llada

World Fischer Random Chess Championship will take place 25th to 30th October 2022 in Reykjavik, Iceland | Photo: FIDE

Nakamura - Abdusattorov: 3-0

Hikaru Nakamura (USA) started the first game 1.f4 g5 2.g4 gxf4 3.Rxf4 h5 4.Bf2 e5 5.Rb4 - a signature Nakamura style.

Nakamura - Abdusattorov, Game 1

Position after 10.Nab3

9...Qf7 would probably have been a better choice. 10.Nab3 Nxb4 11.Ra1 Qxa1+ 12.Nxa1 Black might have gotten two rooks for a queen, however the vulnerability of the king makes things wobbly for Black.

Abdusattorov - Nakamura, Game 2

Position after 14.Nd4

14...Bxd4 15.exd4 is still worth a fight for White. However, 15.Bxd5 Bxd5 completely turned things in Black's favor as his pieces through the kingside.

Abdusattorov - Nakamura, Game 3

Position after 26...Kc7

Abdusattorov got himself a good position in the third game. However, he made a strange retreat of his knight 27.Nd1. Instead, 27.Nc5 threatening both Na6 and Ne6+ would have been a better idea. The game continued 27...Be7 28.Kg2 Rb4 29.Ne3 Rxc4 30.Nxc4 and White went on to lose the game. Thus Nakamura won the Semifinal 3-0 and advanced to the Finals.

Hikaru Nakamura whitewashed Nodirbek Abdusattorov 3-0 | Photo: FIDE/David Llada

Nepomniachtchi - Carlsen: 3-1

Magnus Carlsen (NOR) started the day with a win against Ian Nepomniachtchi. However, it was far from a smooth one.

Nepomniachtchi - Carlsen, Game 1

Position after 13...Bxb3+

13...Bxb3+ 14.axb3 Rxf4 is a typical tactic for Fischer Random chess. Carlsen did not play his best and took a really long time to win. It was certainly a sign of things to come.

Carlsen - Nepomniachtchi, Game 2

Position after 31.Rd2

31.Rd2 dropped the e5-pawn. This certainly increased Black's advantage and he went on to win quite comfortably.

Carlsen - Nepomniachtchi, Game 3

Position after 20...Ne2+

Carlsen's desperado 20.Nxc6 was met with Ne2+ a tactical blow which turned things in Black's favor and Nepomniachtchi gained a 2-1 lead.

Nepomniachtchi - Carlsen, Game 4

Position after 35...Nxa4??

Black's position was a bit dicey. 35...Nxa4?? did not help his case 36.Nb7 caused him to resign immediately as material loss was unavoidable.

Magnus Carlsen suffered a shocking 3-1 defeat against Ian Nepomniachtchi | Photo: FIDE/David Llada

A little kid makes the first move on Nepomniachtchi-Carlsen's board | Photo: FIDE/David Llada

All eight World Fischer Random Chess Championship 2022 participants | Photo: FIDE/David Llada

Do you know whose second is Nikita Vitiugov? | Photo: FIDE/David Llada

Replay Semifinal 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

Semifinal and Final schedule | Photo: Official site

World Fischer Random Championship 2022 schedule | Photo: Official site

Links

Official site

Tournament Regulations