Aimchess US Rapid QF2: Carlsen avenges his World Cup loss against Duda

by Shahid Ahmed - 02/09/2021

Carlsen defeated Duda in the second set with the exact same score as the first set 2.5-0.5 in the Quarterfinals of Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Aimchess US Rapid. Thus, Duda was unable to register a single win in the knockout stage. Aronian also took only three game to win the second set and eliminate Mamedyarov. Leinier lost the second set against Armetiev after putting up a great fight. So forced tie-breaks, but he was unable to win despite getting a decisive advantage in the first blitz tie-breaks. Firouzja will face Artemiev and Carlsen will go against Aronian in the Semifinals, which starts today at 8:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE

Firouzja advances to the Semifinals for the first time

Duda, So and Mamedyarov, none of the three were allowed comebacks by their respective opponents. Although So managed to win the second set and force tie-breaks, Firouzja won the tie-breaks to advance to the Semifinals for the first time in Meltwater Champions Chess Tour. Artemiev qualified to the Tour Finals along with Carlsen, So, Aronian, Radjabov, Giri, Nepomniachtchi and Nakamura.

Carlsen avenged his World Cup elimination against Duda | Photo: FiDE

Artemiev - Leinier: 3-1

Artemiev struck in the third game after making two draws.

Leinier - Artemiev, Game 3

Position after 36...Nxd4

The natural move is 37.Nc5 which was played in the game but after 37...Nc2, things completely start turning in Black's favor. Instead, 37.Bxd4 Bxd4 38.Rd1 leads to an increase in a chance of a draw for White.

The fourth game was an interesting one. Leinier's sacrifice did not pay off.

Artemiev - Leinier, Game 4

Position after 26...Rh6

The game continued 27.Qxe4 and eventually Artemiev won the game. However, 27.Rxg7+ Kf8 28.Rxf7+Ke8 29.Qb5+ is an interesting variation which should lead to a draw. Draw would have been enough for White to win the second set and advance to the Semifinals. Artemiev won the second set 3-1 and advanced to the Semifinals.

Artemiev is consistently doing well in this season of Meltwater Champions Chess Tour | Photo: Grand Chess Tour

Aronian - Mamedyarov: 2-1

Mamedyarov lost the first game against Aronian.

Aronian drew the second and third game comfortably. Although he was winning the third game, he decided to repeat moves as draw was enough for him to advance to the Semifinals.

Aronian eliminated Mamedyarov to advance to the Semifinals | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

So - Firouzja: 2.5-1.5 (0.5-1.5)

Firouzja beat So in the second game after the first game ended in a short draw.

Firouzja - So, Game 2

Position after 45...b4

45...b4 is a blunder. Black is already down by pawn and 45...b4 causes Black to lose more after 46.Rf4. Firouzja gained a 0.5-1.5 lead.

So managed to win a must-win third game after Firouzja blundered his queen.

So - Firouzja, Game 3

Position after 16...g4

16...g4 is a blunder because 17.b5 gxf3 18.Nxf3 Na5 19.Bxe5 and it's all over for Black. So went on to win the game and level the set 1.5-1.5

So beat Firouzja in the fourth game, to win the second set and force tie-breaks.

Firouzja - So, Game 4

Position after 57...d4+

White needs to make a critical decision. Where to move the king - d3 or f3? Firouzja made an incorrect decision which cost him the game and the set 2.5-1.5. Thus, tie-breaks was enforced.

So was completely winning in the first blitz tie-break, but he could not seize his advantage.

So - Firouzja, Blitz 1

Position after 45...Ke6

Find out the winning continuation for White in the above position.

So got his pieces cramped after making an incorrect trade of rooks. Eventually he sacrificed a piece which did not work out and lost the game. Firouzja won the tie-breaks 0.5-1.5 and advanced to the Semifinals where he will face Artemiev.

Firouzja finally avenged his losses against So | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Carlsen - Duda: 2.5-0.5

Carlsen outplayed Duda in the first game to take a 1-0 lead.

Duda managed to make a draw in the second game.

Duda once again got outplayed by the world champion in the third game.

Duda - Carlsen, Game 3

Position after 18...f5

The previous day it was f5 by Duda in the third game which was a mistake, this time it was the world champion's interesting way to create imbalance at the center of the board 18...f5.

Position after 23...e3

Black played another excellent move, 23...e3, evacuating the e4-square for the knight. After 24.Bxe3 Ne4, White cannot take on e4 with the bishop because Qxe4 attacks both white rooks and there is no way to defend them. Carlsen eventually won the game and the set by the exact same score as the previous day 2.5-0.5. Thus, Duda got eliminated.