Wesley So wins Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Chessable Masters

by Shahid Ahmed - 09/08/2021

Liem Quang Le made a good start by swindling So in the first game of the second set of Finals at Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Chessable Masters. However, the momentum did not last long, he barely managed to make a draw in the second game, lost the third one and drew the fourth game to tie the set. It was not enough to force tie-breaks. Thus, So won his third event of the season. Aronian missed a win in the first game and lost the next two. He faltered in the endgame of all three. Artemiev was placed third and Aronian fourth. With this triumph, So has climbed to the second place on the tour standings and became the second player to cross 250 points after Carlsen. Photo: Champions Chess Tour

So wins his third event of the season

Reigning Fischer Random world champion, Wesley So has been consistent in the Meltwater Champions Chess Tour. He rarely loses which is one of the primary reason for him winning his third event of the season after Skilling Open and Opera Euro Rapid.

Wesley So has won the maximum number of Meltwater Champions Chess Tour event in this season | Photo: Champions Chess Tour

World Blitz 2013 champion Liem Quang Le finished second | Photo: chess24

So - Liem: 2-2

Liem scored in the very first game of the second set. It also turned out to be his sole victory against So in the Finals.

Liem - So, Game 1

Position after 25...Kxh8

25...Kxh8 allows White to get back in the game. Instead 25...Qc4 would have been fine. Find out why taking the bishop at h8 was a bad idea. With this win, Liem took a 0-1 lead.

So once again got a decisive advantage in the second game. However, this time he did not lose, it ended in a draw.

So - Liem, Game 2

Position after 43.Qf4

43.Qf4 allowed Black to save the game via perpetual check 43...Ng1+ 44.Kg4 Qe2+ 45.Kh4 Qh2+ and so on. Find out what White should have played instead.

So played enterprising chess in the third game. Liem eventually faltered and the American capitalized on it.

Liem - So, Game 3

Position after 37.Nf1

Find out the best plan for Black and then it will be easier to find out what White should have played instead of 37.Nf1.

So drew the fourth game with Artemiev to tie the second set 2-2. Since he had won the first set on the previous day, So won the Chessable Masters, his third event of this season at Meltwater Champions Chess Tour.

Wesley So: "My goal is just to force Magnus to show up!" | Video: chess24

Liem Quang Le: "There were so many missed opportunities today!" | Video: chess24

Aronian - Artemiev: 0.5-2.5

Artemiev saved a completely lost endgame against Aronian in the first game.

Artemiev - Aronian, Game 1

Position after 56.Kf4

Black is completely winning in the above position. 56...Nc5 would have given Black a comfortable win, but Aronian played 56...Ke7 and Artemiev went on to save the game after 57.Ke5.

Aronian misplayed in the endgame, which cost him the second game against Artemiev.

Artemiev beat Aronian again in the third game to win the second set 0.5-2.5 and secure third position.