The Rewarding Format
On Day 1, each win is worth 1 point and $1,000. For Day 2, each win is worth 2 points and $2,000. On Day 3, each win is worth 3 points and $3,000. Each game is played at a rapid time control of 10 minutes plus a 5-second increment. The prize from each drawn game rolls over into a Champion’s Jackpot, which only the tournament winner receives.
Hikaru started the day with a draw against Fabiano, and in the next game he defeated Fabi. Praggnanandhaa suffered a tough loss against Javokhir Sindarov in the 1st round, where he blundered under time pressure and then lost on time. The day went on with all the players playing each other with both colours. Praggnanandhaa suffered a loss against all 3 and defeated Fabiano Caruana in the final game of the day.
Round 1, Game 1
Praggnanandhaa vs. Javokhir Sindarov
The tournament started with a highly anticipated clash between Pragg and Sindarov. Praggnanandhaa had a clearly better position, but under time pressure he exchanged the queens, and the position was now equal; then he made another mistake and blundered a pawn. Javokhir was clearly winning within seconds and could have converted it smoothly, but Pragg lost on time, and Sindarov secured his only win of the 1st day.
Position after 46...Bb4
Sindarov played 46...Bb4, and the game was heading towards a draw as it was an opposite-coloured bishop, but Praggnanandhaa played 47.g4, blundering the pawn on g4, and on the next move he was not able to press the clock and lost on time.
Replay full game
Caruana and Hikaru made a draw in the 1st game.
Round 1 Game 2
Praggnanandhaa drew his game against Sindarov with the black pieces, while Hikaru Nakamura scored his 1st win after defeating Fabiano Caruana with the white pieces.
Round 2
Praggnanandhaa lost against Hikaru Nakamura with the black pieces and drew the next game with white; meanwhile, Sindarov and Fabiano drew both of their games in round 2.
Round 3
Hikaru Nakamura and Javokhir Sindarov drew both of their games, and in the games between Praggnanandhaa and Caruana Fabiano both players won with black pieces scoring their 1st win of the day.
Standings after 3 Rounds
Solve day 1 tactics on ChessRanga
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