Weissenhaus Freestyle G.O.A.T. Challenge R1-4: Gukesh beats Carlsen, Aronian and Liren to make a dream start

by Shahid Ahmed - 10/02/2024

D Gukesh has done something which many can only dream about. He defeated the world no.1 Magnus Carlsen (NOR) and the reigning world champion, Ding Liren (CHN), hours apart on the first day of WEISSENHAUS Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T. Challenge. Not only that, he also won against the only two-time World Cup winner in history - Levon Aronian (USA). Gukesh's win over Carlsen was undoubtedly the most exciting game of the day. He finished the day by outplaying Liren after the latter accepted an exchange sacrifice. Germany no.1 Vincent Keymer has emerged sole leader 3.5/4. He is closely followed by Gukesh and Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) at 3/4 each. Round 5 starts today from 1 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Sagar Shah and Amruta Mokal

Jubilant Jacks, Kings crumble

It is well-known that D Gukesh started using engines only recently during the pandemic. Naturally, his understanding of the game is quite high and he is not reliant on opening preparation or just its theory only. His recent games at the 86th Tata Steel Chess and even before in the second half of 2023 showed, he is always ready to take chances. If you check his games with a computer, you might find quite often computer is saying that he is lost in some position. However, that does not matter as he is playing against a human, not an emotionless machine. So it becomes quite difficult for a human to decipher and unravel those inaccuracies. Gukesh took chances and defeated three of the best players of the world in consecutive games, despite starting the day with a loss against Alireza Firouzja (FRA). That certainly speaks volumes about Gukesh.

D Gukesh defeated Magnus Carlsen (NOR) in a fantastic battle

Round 1: Aronian - Abdusattorov: 0.5-0.5

The most exciting game of the first round was between Levon Aronian (USA) and Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB). The former World Rapid champion, sacrificed his bishop to begin a king hunt.

Position after 7...Bxg2!

7...Bxg2! is an interesting sacrifice. Although there is no definite checkmate but it starts a continuous attack on the king. 8.Kxg2 Qg6+ 9.Kh3 Qh6+ 10.Kg2 Qg5+ 11.Kf3 e4+ 12.Ke2 Qh5+ 13.f3 Bh4 14.Rfg1 Rf7 15.Qf1 0-0 yes that is only possible in Freestyle (Fischer Random) chess. White managed to defend his successfully and got a substantial advantage. However, Black managed to keep pressing and eventually the game ended in a draw after 100 moves.

Ding suffered a paltry loss in the first round after blundering his bishop in an unfavorable endgame against Fabiano Caruana

Magnus Carlsen - Vincent Keymer: 0.5-0.5

Round 2: Gukesh - Carlsen: 1-0

The most interesting and exhilarating game of the day was between D Gukesh and Magnus Carlsen (NOR).

Position after 26.Kd4

26.Kd4 should give you an inkling about what Gukesh was playing for and how. He played as the position demanded and fearlessly. A series of precise moves in the time trouble combined with Carlsen's inaccuracies helped Gukesh to win a spectacular game. Check out Endgame Expert - GM Karsten Mueller's analysis of the game.

D Gukesh stuns Magnus Carlsen - Commentary by IM Sagar Shah | Video: ChessBase India

D Gukesh's poise is at a different level

Ding Liren suffered his second consecutive loss of the day, against Nodirbek Abdusattorov in the second round

Round 3: Aronian - Gukesh: 0-1

D Gukesh had never beaten Levon Aronian (USA) in an over-the-board tournament game. That statistic was about to change in this round.

Position after 8.Bxf6

Aronian decided to sacrifice his bishop 8.Bxf6 to break Black's kingside wide open. However, Gukesh was not interested in taking the bait. 8...d5 9.Bxd8 Rxd8 and Black won the game after White misplayed in the endgame.

D Gukesh defeated Levon Aronian for the first time in an otb tournament game

17-year-old Gukesh on his wins against two World Champions Carlsen and Ding in one day | Video: ChessBase India

Ding Liren suffered his third consecutive loss of the day, versus Vincent Keymer in Round 3

Magnus Carlsen and Alireza Firouzja had an exciting Knight endgame which ended in a draw

In Round 3, seven out of eight castle was done in the first two moves

Round 4: Keymer - Caruana: 1-0

Position after 34...f6??

In an already difficult position, Fabiano Caruana blundered 34...f6?? Find out the winning continuation for White which Vincent Keymer executed in the game.

Vincent Keymer vs Fabiano Caruana | Video: ChessBase India

Gukesh - Liren: 1-0

D Gukesh had played only two over-the-board games against Ding Liren. He lost both of them. Third time proved to be in Gukesh's favor. He offered an exchange sacrifice to gain positional advantage.

Position after 12.Nd5

The world champion decided to accept the sacrifice 12...Bxa1 13.Nxe7+ Kg7 14.Rxa1 White brilliantly outplayed his opponent and won the game in another 23 moves.

Gukesh vs World Champion Ding Liren - Commentary by IM Sagar Shah | Video: ChessBase India

D Gukesh scored his first-ever win against Ding Liren

Magnus Carlsen crushed Levon Aronian in just 19 moves

Magnus Carlsen and Levon Aronian discusses ideas before the round as Gukesh observes

The beautiful playing arena at Weissenhaus Luxury Resort in Germany

The area where the positions are drawn and spectators can watch the games live

World's most successful coach, Vishy Anand and Magnus Carlsen's former trainer - GM Peter Heine Nielsen visited the tournament with his family GM Viktorija Čmilytė and their son

For more Press Conference and Round 1-4 photos, please click at the respective links.

The amazing venue tour of the Weissenhaus Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T. Challenge 2024 | Video: ChessBase India

"Maybe I should shut up!" - Magnus Carlsen, before his game against Gukesh | Video: ChessBase India

Fiery Gukesh | Through the eyes of Sagar and Amruta | Day 1 Vlog of Weissenhaus FreeStyle Chess 2024 | Video: ChessBase India

Format

Time: Rapid and Standard

• Round robin: rapid 25 min for the game + 10 sec per move according to A5 of the FIDE laws of chess

• Tiebreak: first direct encounter, second: number of wins, third: Sonneborn-Berger

• Quarter-, semi- and finals: Two games standard 90 minutes/40 moves + 30 minutes rest of the game additional 30 seconds per move

In Case of Tiebreak

1:1 in quarter-, semi-final or final. Tiebreak in the evening:

• two rapid games 15 min for the game + 10 sec per move

• two blitz games 5 min for the game + 2 sec per move

• then one more blitz game until a winner is found

Press Conference | Video: Freestyle Chess

Replay live stream

Replay Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T. Challenge Rapid Day 1 live commentary by GM Peter Leko, IM Tania Sachdev and GM Niclas Huschenbeth | Video: Freestyle Chess

Schedule

9th and 10th February: playoffs for starting order - Rapid

11th and 12th February: Quarterfinals - Classical

13th and 14th February: Semifinals - Classical

15th and 16th February: Finals - Classical

Replay Playoff Round 1-4 games

Round 1-4 results

Bo.	No.	Rtg		Name	Result		Name	Rtg	No.
Round 1
1	1	2743	GM	Gukesh, D	0 - 1	GM	Firouzja, Alireza	2760	8
2	2	2830	GM	Carlsen, Magnus	½ - ½	GM	Keymer, Vincent	2738	7
3	3	2725	GM	Aronian, Levon	½ - ½	GM	Abdusattorov, Nodirbek	2744	6
4	4	2762	GM	Ding, Liren	0 - 1	GM	Caruana, Fabiano	2804	5
Round 2
Bo.	No.	Rtg		Name	Result		Name	Rtg	No.
1	6	2744	GM	Abdusattorov, Nodirbek	1 - 0	GM	Ding, Liren	2762	4
2	8	2760	GM	Firouzja, Alireza	½ - ½	GM	Caruana, Fabiano	2804	5
3	7	2738	GM	Keymer, Vincent	1 - 0	GM	Aronian, Levon	2725	3
4	1	2743	GM	Gukesh, D	1 - 0	GM	Carlsen, Magnus	2830	2
Round 3
Bo.	No.	Rtg		Name	Result		Name	Rtg	No.
1	3	2725	GM	Aronian, Levon	0 - 1	GM	Gukesh, D	2743	1
2	4	2762	GM	Ding, Liren	0 - 1	GM	Keymer, Vincent	2738	7
3	2	2830	GM	Carlsen, Magnus	½ - ½	GM	Firouzja, Alireza	2760	8
4	5	2804	GM	Caruana, Fabiano	½ - ½	GM	Abdusattorov, Nodirbek	2744	6
Round 4
Bo.	No.	Rtg		Name	Result		Name	Rtg	No.
1	7	2738	GM	Keymer, Vincent	1 - 0	GM	Caruana, Fabiano	2804	5
2	8	2760	GM	Firouzja, Alireza	0 - 1	GM	Abdusattorov, Nodirbek	2744	6
3	1	2743	GM	Gukesh, D	1 - 0	GM	Ding, Liren	2762	4
4	2	2830	GM	Carlsen, Magnus	1 - 0	GM	Aronian, Levon	2725	3

Details

Standings after Round 4

Rk.	SNo		Name	FED	RtgI	Pts.	TB2	TB3
1	7	GM	Keymer, Vincent	GER	2738	3,5	3	3,50
2	1	GM	Gukesh, D	IND	2743	3	3	2,50
3	6	GM	Abdusattorov, Nodirbek	UZB	2744	3	2	3,25
4	8	GM	Firouzja, Alireza	FRA	2760	2	1	5,00
5	2	GM	Carlsen, Magnus	NOR	2830	2	1	3,25
6	5	GM	Caruana, Fabiano	USA	2804	2	1	2,50
7	3	GM	Aronian, Levon	USA	2725	0,5	0	1,50
8	4	GM	Ding, Liren	CHN	2762	0	0	0,00

Details

Round 5-7 pairings

Bo.	No.	Rtg		Name	Result		Name	Rtg	No.
Round 5
1	4	2762	GM	Ding, Liren		GM	Carlsen, Magnus	2830	2
2	5	2804	GM	Caruana, Fabiano		GM	Gukesh, D	2743	1
3	6	2744	GM	Abdusattorov, Nodirbek		GM	Keymer, Vincent	2738	7
4	3	2725	GM	Aronian, Levon		GM	Firouzja, Alireza	2760	8
Round 6
Bo.	No.	Rtg		Name	Result		Name	Rtg	No.
1	1	2743	GM	Gukesh, D		GM	Abdusattorov, Nodirbek	2744	6
2	3	2725	GM	Aronian, Levon		GM	Ding, Liren	2762	4
3	2	2830	GM	Carlsen, Magnus		GM	Caruana, Fabiano	2804	5
4	8	2760	GM	Firouzja, Alireza		GM	Keymer, Vincent	2738	7
Round 7
Bo.	No.	Rtg		Name	Result		Name	Rtg	No.
1	5	2804	GM	Caruana, Fabiano		GM	Aronian, Levon	2725	3
2	6	2744	GM	Abdusattorov, Nodirbek		GM	Carlsen, Magnus	2830	2
3	4	2762	GM	Ding, Liren		GM	Firouzja, Alireza	2760	8
4	7	2738	GM	Keymer, Vincent		GM	Gukesh, D	2743	1

Details

Links

Official site

Weissenhaus

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