Division I: Lazavik Beats Carlsen For First Time, However Quantity-1 Shuts Down Upset

Going into day 5, our fashions predicted a 90 % probability of Carlsen profitable the match. In opposition to Lazavik, the world number-one inched nearer to attaining that goal. He is now in his fifth Grand Ultimate out of a doable six (ending third within the 2023 Chessable Masters). 

Within the Losers Bracket, Martinez and Fedoseev bid the match goodbye on Sunday, and every earned $10,000 for reaching day 5. 

Winners Ultimate: Carlsen 2.5-1.5 Lazavik

Practically half Carlsen’s age, Lazavik is the largest darkish horse of the match. The world number-one stated on the day past: “He is defeated a assassin’s row of gamers simply to get right here, so actually not straightforward. I’ve to up my sport a bit.”

Each single one of many 4 common video games was tense. Carlsen received the primary sport after making use of tons of strain on the clock and board, however {the teenager} confirmed within the subsequent video games that he won’t go straightforward into that good night time.

Lazavik, extremely, held an endgame with 10 seconds towards over three minutes—earlier than defeating the world champion for the primary time in his life in sport three. 

“Magnus resigns! Denis takes a historic victory!” (David)

We have now a tied rating going into the final sport, with Denis having the white items.#ChessChamps #ChessableMasters pic.twitter.com/Q7kk25U9uJ

— chess24.com (@chess24com) February 4, 2024

This upset of a lifetime is our Recreation of the Day, and GM Rafael Leitao shares his evaluation under. 

“It clearly turned very tough after sport three,” stated Carlsen after the match. “I used to be fairly drained by the best way the match was going.”

Nonetheless, Carlsen managed to get the job executed in sport 4—with out going to armageddon. Lazavik, as soon as once more, stubbornly defended for a lot of the sport, however with little time he collapsed within the endgame after buying and selling queens. 

“With some luck, he might’ve received,” stated Carlsen about his opponent. “He is simply basically very sound. Good understanding. He isn’t straightforward to interrupt down. I believe with some expertise he’ll turn into a high participant.”

I believe with some expertise he’ll turn into a high participant.

—Magnus Carlsen

Carlsen could have two relaxation days, when he’ll journey to Germany the place he will probably be taking part in the Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T. Problem 2024. In the meantime, Lazavik rests for someday as he waits for the Losers Ultimate, the place he’ll play the winner of Nepomniachtchi vs. Firouzja. 

Losers Quarterfinals

Fedoseev 1-2 Nepomniachtchi

After shedding a rook endgame, Fedoseev received on demand in sport two, displaying nice tenacity as he did towards Carlsen the day past. The 2-time Candidates winner, nonetheless, managed to win an in depth armageddon sport to advance.

After profitable sport one, Nepomniachtchi was profitable for many of sport two as properly, and a 2-0 match victory appeared like a foregone conclusion. However the ill-timed 46.f4?? left his items as poor spectators to the march of the handed d-pawn.

With 10 minutes towards Fedoseev’s seven minutes and 35 seconds within the armageddon, Nepomniachtchi must “re-win” the match. Either side had been profitable at varied factors of the nervous time-trouble frenzy, however the closing mistake got here simply after Fedoseev constructed a fortress. 

After Black’s pure 55…Rd7??, White had another trick up his sleeve, and Fedoseev knew his destiny as soon as the miraculous 57.Kh6! appeared on the board.

Firouzja 1.5-0.5 Martinez 

After a strong attract sport one, Firouzja managed to win a topsy-turvy sport two. He received a pawn within the middlegame, however the resilient Peruvian GM drummed up sufficient counterplay to get again into the sport. 

Ultimately, getting near doubtlessly holding a tough draw, Martinez discovered the suitable concept—a knight sacrifice—however the unsuitable execution, and Firouzja transformed with the additional piece.

Division II: Aronian’s Again In Enterprise

The previous world number-two and five-time Candidates participant Aronian confirmed his class towards GM Vladislav Artemiev within the Winners Semifinals. 21.Rad1!!, sacrificing a pawn and quickly a chunk, ready an excellent set of rook sacrifices that broke down the black protection.

Within the different Winners Semifinals match, Keymer defeated GM Benjamin Bok solely within the armageddon, on demand with White. With Keymer being greater than half Aronian’s age, the Winners Ultimate ought to be an interesting conflict of generations.

You could find the complete brackets and pairings for Division II right here. 

Division III: Sarana Sweeps Paravyan 2-0

Grischuk defeated GM Eltaj Safarli with 5 attracts, having Black within the armageddon tiebreaker. Alternatively, Sarana convincingly took down GM David Paravyan with a 2-0 sweep.

The primary sport featured an insane heavy-piece endgame the place “finest play” confirmed White drawing with three related handed pawns for a rook. As a substitute, we noticed Black “sacrifice” his queen for a landing along with his personal passers.

Will Sarana be capable to present the identical killer kind towards the three-time world blitz chess champion?

You could find the complete brackets and pairings for Division III right here. 

The 2024 Chessable Masters is the primary of its 4 occasions and determines one of many gamers who’ll make it to the in-person CCT Finals. The occasion begins on January 31 at 11 a.m. ET/17:00 CET and includes a $300,000 prize fund.

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