MCT Finals: Carlsen sets up a 'Dream Final'
Magnus Carlsen will face Hikaru Nakamura at the finals of Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour Finals. Of course it is a highly anticipated dream final. The fourth set of the Semi-Final match between Carlsen and Ding Liren was not like the first three sets as Ding Liren struck back in the second game immediately after losing the first one. Three draws followed by a tumultuous final blitz game. World champion's blunder did allow Ding Liren to have a real chance at the finals but he couldn't maintain his foothold and a slip cost him the important game, set and match. The finals between Carlsen and Nakamura will take place from 14th - 20th August in a Best of 7 sets. Photo: Amruta Mokal
It's Carlsen vs Nakamura at the finals
The fourth day of the Semi-Finals of Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour Finals witnessed Carlsen making his usual winning start against Ding Liren. However this time, Ding Liren struck back immediately with an emphatic win. The next three games ended up in lukewarm draws. The last blitz game witnessed Carlsen making a blunder which gave his opponent Ding Liren a decisive advantage, much to his chagrin, he made a bigger mistake soon which allowed the World no.1 to walk away with a victory and set a clash with the Speed King Nakamura in the finals.
Carlsen - Ding Liren 3.5-2.5
Ding Liren made a shaky start in the first game of the fourth set. Of course his confidence was shattered after losing two consecutive sets in minimum number of games. That was evident in his strange start in Game 15.
Carlsen - Ding Liren, Game 15
Black played the unnecessary 21...Nd5 and worsened his position. There would have been no trouble if he continued with either 21...Qe7 or Qc7
Ding Liren made a brilliant comeback in the next game and checkmated the world champion at the center of the board in just 31 moves.
Ding Liren - Carlsen, Game 16
Find out how white can initiate an attack here after 23...Nc3.
How should white continue the attack after 25...Kh8 ?
After a hat-trick of lukewarm draws, the second blitz game witnessed Carlsen making a blunder. Even the World no.1 couldn't believe that he escaped.
Ding Liren - Carlsen, Game 20
Find out why 25...Qb7 is a blunder and what black could have done instead.
Unfortunately for Ding, he couldn't maintain his advantage either and faltered instead which allowed Carlsen to get back in the game and secure his spot in the final.
Replay all Carlsen-Ding Liren Semi-Final Set 4 games
Replay the live stream
Day 4 results
Score after Set 4
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Prizes
Tournament format and schedule
The Semi-Finals will be played in a Best of five sets (mini-matches). A player winning three sets will allow him to advance to the final.
• Each set consists of four rapid games with a time control of 15 mins + 10 seconds increment.
• In case of a tie, two blitz tiebreakers with a time control of 5 mins + 3 seconds increment.
• In case of a tie after blitz, an Armageddon game will be played where White gets 5 minutes, Black gets 4 minutes, but a draw gives Black overall victory.
• The winners move on to the final, which will be played in a Best of 7 sets.
There are no scheduled rest days. The Semi-Finals will take place from 9th-13th August and the Finals will take place on 14th-20th August 2020.
