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WR Chess Masters 2023 R6: Aronian draws a thriller against So, Praggnanandhaa tests Giri

by Shahid Ahmed - 23/02/2023

Levon Aronian had the most exciting game of the sixth round at WR Chess Masters 2023. He said it correctly that one cannot convert all advantages in a game as the opponents are quite strong and they will fight back. The two-time World Cup winner was in a fighting mood and was on the verge of a victory. However, he missed a move in a continuation, which he realized after the game. R Praggnanandhaa decided against a guaranteed perpetual after sacrificing an exchange in the endgame. He fought for nearly seven hours but his opponent Anish Giri did not crumble. Both Wesley So and D Gukesh remain a full point behind the leader Aronian at 3.5/6 each. Round 7 starts today from 2 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes/WR Chess Masters

Exciting games

Although all five games ended in draws just like the fourth round, there were plenty of exciting games.

Picture worth a thousand words - Nepomniachtchi, Abdusattorov and Giri checks out the exciting So-Aronian battle | Photo: Lennart Ootes/WR Chess Masters

Aronian - So: 0.5-0.5

Levon Aronian (USA, 2736) used a fresh idea in the opening 9...c4 which was applauded by the legend, GM Boris Gelfand himself during the live commentary. When asked about it in a post-game interview, Aronian responded, "Yes this is Fabi's (Fabiano Caruana) idea. I use my friend's ideas once in a while."

Position after 9...c4

Aronian felt the position was extremely sharp after 10.Bxh7+ and it was a fun position to play. He would prefer to play it out.

Position after 27.R4b2

Aronian saw 27...c3 28.Rc2 Qd2 but he missed 29...Qd3 after 29.Rbc1. White cannot maintain the fortress as either Bd1 or the bishop attacks from the other side d7-a4 and breaks it. The game continued 27...Rb8 28.Nf1 Rb6 29.Ne3 Qh5 30.d6 Bd7 31.Nd5 Rxb5 32.Rxb5 Bxb5 33.Rxb5 Qd1+ 34.Kh2 Qh5 35.Kg1 and it was a draw due to perpetual checks.

Has becoming a father helped Levon Aronian's chess? | Video: ChessBase India

Levon Aronian is still full point ahead of the competition 4.5/6 | Photo: Lennart Ootes/WR Chess Masters
Final moments of Gukesh vs Abdusattorov | Video: ChessBase India

D Gukesh - Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Lennart Ootes/WR Chess Masters
Vincent Keymer's novel idea in the 6.d3 Ruy Lopez against Duda | Video: ChessBase India

Jan-Krzysztof Duda (POL) - Vincent Keymer (GER): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Lennart Ootes/WR Chess Masters

Giri - Praggnanandhaa: 0.5-0.5

R Praggnanandhaa (2690) sacrificed an exchannge in the endgame to create some pressure on the world no.5 Anish Giri (NED, 2780).

Position after 42.Kf1

Black decided to go for 42...Rxd7 43.Qe8+ Kh7 44.Qxd7 Qd3+ 45.Kf2 c4 46.Qxa4 c3. He wanted to test Giri's defensive skills. There was an easy draw 45...Qd2+ 46.Kf1 Qd3+ and White cannot get out of perpetual checks. Pragg decided against it and used his connected passed c and d-pawns to see if things work out. It didn't as Giri provided precise defense to draw the game.

Praggnanandhaa analyzes his game with GM Yasser Seirawan | Video: ChessBase India
Anish Giri offers a draw to Pragg with only 1 minute on the clock | Video: ChessBase India

R Praggnanandhaa tested Anish Giri's resolve in the endgame | Photo: Lennart Ootes/WR Chess Masters
"After I saw Nepo's expression I grew 10 years older" - Andrey Esipenko | Video: ChessBase India

Ian Nepomniachtchi checks his reflection | Photo: Lennart Ootes/WR Chess Masters

Ian Nepomniachtchi - Andrey Esipenko: 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Lennart Ootes/WR Chess Masters
Funny little banter between Nepo and Seirawan before the start of the sixth round | Video: ChessBase India

GM Yasser Seirawan made the ceremonial first move of the sixth round on Nepomniachtchi-Esipenko's board | Photo: Lennart Ootes/WR Chess Masters
Replay Live commentary of WR Chess Masters 2023 Round 6 by GM Yasser Seirawan and GM Elisabeth Paehtz | Video: ChessBase India

Replay Round 6 games

Prize fund

The total prize fund - €130000. Top three prizes are: €40000, €25000 and €15000 each respectively.

WR Chess Masters 2023 complete prize fund distribution | Photo: Official site

Round 6 results

Six action packed draws | Photo: Official site

Standings after Round 6

The standings remain unchanged | Photo: Official site

Round 7 pairings

Round 7 pairings | Photo: Official site

Links

Official site

Tournament Regulations