World Fischer Random 2022 SF: Nakamura to face Nepomniachtchi in the Finals, Carlsen crashes out
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
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
31.Rd2 dropped the e5-pawn. This certainly increased Black's advantage and he went on to win quite comfortably.
Carlsen - Nepomniachtchi, Game 3
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
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.
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
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 R5-6: Carlsen, Nakamura and Nepo join Abdusattorov in the Semifinals
@ 28/10/2022 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) |