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Superbet R&B 2023 Day 1: Wojtaszek checks Carlsen!

by Shahid Ahmed - 22/05/2023

Magnus Carlsen took a bold approach of playing Polish Defence against the Poland no.2 Radoslaw Wojtaszek. Eight years later, Wojtaszek defeated the World no.1 in a rated game in the first round of Superbet Rapid and Blitz 2023. Carlsen admitted to not playing or studying chess recently, which showed in his games. He drew the next two games against Wesley So and the Poland no.1, Jan-Krzysztof Duda respectively. So, Levon Aronian and Duda are currently in the lead 5/6, followed by Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Wojtaszek at 4/6 each. Carlsen is currently at seventh place with only 2/6. Round 4 starts today from 2 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

So, Aronian and Duda in a three-way lead 5/6

Wesley So (USA), Levon Aronian (USA) and Jan-Krzysztof Duda (POL) scored two wins and a draw each. Their common victims were Anish Giri (NED) and Bogdan-Daniel Deac (ROU).

Polish Defence in Poland did not work out for rusty Magnus Carlsen | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Wesley So, ... | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Levon Aronian... | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

and Jan-Krzysztof Duda are in a three-way lead 5/6 | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Round 1: Wojtaszek - Carlsen: 1-0

The only time the Poland no.2 Radoslaw Wojtaszek defeated Magnus Carlsen in a rated game was over eight years ago at 77th Tata Steel Masters in 2015. Carlsen opted for the Polish Defence as Black and paid a heavy price for it.

Position after 16.Rc1

Wojtaszek got a substantial positional advantage within 20 moves. 16.Rc1 Ne6 17.Nxb7 Qxb7 18.Bf1 Bb4 19.Re2 Ne7 20.Rec2 Nf5 21.Bg5 Be7 22.Bf6 Black's pieces are crippled.

Final position after 38.Ng7+
Wojtaszek beats Carlsen’s Polish Opening! | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club
Carlsen: Haven’t studied chess recently, it showed | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club

Radek Wojtaszek had no plans of letting Magnus Carlsen get away with Polish Defence in Warsaw, Poland | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Radek Wojtaszek tweeted on his game

Round 2: Magnus Carlsen (NOR) - Wesley So (USA): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Round 3: Jan-Krzysztof Duda (POL) - Magnus Carlsen (NOR): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Photo Gallery

Superbet Poland CEO Adam Lamentowicz made the ceremonial first move of the first round on Wojtaszek-Carlsen's board | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Fans eagerly waiting for their favorite players | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Levon Aronian, Wesley So, Kirill Shevchenko and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave signing autographs for the fans | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

The hall was packed by the chess fans | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Poland no.1 and FIDE World Cup 2021 winner - Jan-Krzysztof Duda made several fans' day by signing autographs | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Round 1 in progress | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Round 2 in progress | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Round 3 in progress | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Superbet Rapid and Blitz 2023 champion's trophy | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

View from the audience | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Highlights of Day 1

Replay Superbet Rapid and Blitz Day 1 Live commentary by GMs Varuzhan Akobian, Cristian Chirila, Yasser Seirawan, IM Nazi Paikidze and WGM Anastasiya Karlovich | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club

Replay Round 1-3 games

Standings after Rapid Round 3

Wesley So, Levon Aronian and Jan-Krzysztof Duda are in a three-way lead 5/6 | Photo: Grand Chess Tour

Superbet Rapid and Blitz 2023 schedule | Photo: Grand Chess Tour

Prize

The total prize fund for each of the Rapid and Blitz event is US$ 175000 with the first prize being US$ 40000.

Prize details | Photo: Grand Chess Tour

Links

Official site

Tournament regulations


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