Will MVL have the final laugh?

by Shahid Ahmed - 04/12/2019

The second classical game between MVL-Carlsen and Ding-Aronian also ended up in a draw which means there is no clear favorite going into the faster time control matches. Today each player will play two rapid and four blitz games against the same semi-final opponents. A win in rapid is worth four points and in blitz it's two points. The two players to score 15 points will advance to the finals. At this point MVL and Carlsen seem to be evenly matched, while Aronian is still trying to recover from his ailment. It will be interesting to see who grabs the final two spots in the GCT Finals. It starts tonight at 9:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour

MVL survives another Carlsen surprise

The two finalists of the 2019 Grand Chess Tour will be determined in rapid and blitz matches as both classical games ended in a draw. The match today will consist of two rapid and four blitz games, where the wins in rapid are worth four points while the wins in blitz are worth two points. The two players to earn 15 points will become the two finalists competing for the title of 2019 GCT winner. Tomorrow promises to be an exciting day as faster time controls bring out the fireworks on the chessboard.

Standings after two Classical games | Photo: Official site

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave vs Magnus Carlsen ½ - ½

9-year-old Amoako Selikem from Ghana makes the ceremonial first move in MVL vs Carlsen game | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour

Carlsen wanted to surprise his opponent in the opening again, essaying a rare line in the Open Spanish that he played in Zagreb GCT against Caruana earlier this year.

Carlsen opted for the same line which he played against Caruana at Zagreb GCT

Vachier-Lagrave decided to take the cautious route, recalling the loss Aronian suffered against Mamedyarov in the 2018 Olympiad in the same line after getting careless.

Here MVL deviated from Caruana-Carlsen game and opted for 11.b3

The Frenchman had the better pawn structure but a misplaced minor piece.

MVL got the knight out of the rim with 20.Nc4

Both players felt that the likely outcome was the game petering out to a draw, playing it out until the lone kings were left on the board.

Ding Liren vs Levon Aronian ½ - ½

Aronian will have to outplay Ding in the faster time controls | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour

Ding Liren escaped unscathed after finding himself in a worse position with the white pieces. The uncommon line in the Nimzo Indian Defense lead to a symmetrical position which the Chinese star thought should be better for him. However, he was unable to find a way to deal with the Bg4 pin, and started playing “bad and unnatural” moves.

Ding played 10.h3 and 11.g4 to get rid of the pin

Aronian had a comfortable edge but due to still feeling unwell decided to end the day early with a repetition.

Source: Press Release

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Commentary by GM Peter Svidler, WGM Jennifer Shahade, GM Maurice Ashley and GM Alejandro Ramirez | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club

Links

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