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GM Alireza Firouzja will face GM Magnus Carlsen within the Grand Remaining of the 2024 Champions Chess Tour Chessable Masters. On Monday, the French number-one defeated GM Ian Nepomniachtchi by drawing the armageddon after which GM Denis Lazavik 1.5-0.5 to win the Losers Bracket.
In Division II, GM Vincent Keymer defeated GM Levon Aronian 2.5-0.5, however along with his second life the 41-year-old grandmaster beat GM Benjamin Bok to win the Losers Remaining. Keymer and Aronian can have a rematch within the Grand Remaining.
Likewise, in Division III, GM Alexey Sarana swept GM Alexander Grischuk 3-0, however the latter rebounded in opposition to GM Oleksandr Bortnyk to maintain hope alive. They too can have a rematch within the Grand Remaining.
Day seven, that includes the Grand Finals of Division II and III solely, begins on Tuesday, February 6, beginning at 11 a.m. ET / 17:00 CET / 9:30 p.m. IST. The Division I Grand Remaining will probably be held individually, on Wednesday on the identical time.
Division I Bracket
Division I: Firouzja’s On Fireplace
Firouzja was knocked into the Losers Bracket on the very first day when he misplaced to GM Vladimir Fedoseev, however he is been preventing ever since. On his option to the Grand Remaining, he is defeated GMs Wesley So, Jose Martinez, Nepomniachtchi, and Lazavik. The one factor that stands between him and title victory now’s the “last boss of chess.”
Losers Remaining: Firouzja 1.5-0.5 Lazavik
Lazavik defeated a number of super-GMs to get to this stage, even defeating Carlsen for the primary time in his profession regardless of shedding that match. Though his match involves an finish, Lazavik does earn $15,000 for his efforts—and expertise.
Firouzja gained the primary sport and drew the second to shut out the match.
There is a widely-circulated quote that claims “pawns are the soul of chess,” and Firouzja’s victory in sport one bolstered these smart phrases. After buying and selling queens, the world championship candidate deftly exploited the weaknesses of remoted and doubled pawns.
GM Rafael Leitao offers his professional evaluation beneath.
Recreation two was, usually, a great maintain by the French number-one, who solely wanted a draw. Though it did not matter a lot for the match, there was a stunning alternative to search out 63…f6!!, a study-like transfer that wins. It is a magnificence to take a look at:
Losers Semifinals: Firouzja 1.5-1.5 Nepomniachtchi
Firouzja’s first sufferer of the day was, actually, Nepomniachtchi. The 2 common video games resulted in attracts and the youthful grandmaster gained the match by drawing the armageddon with Black.
After getting his bishop trapped earlier in sport one, Firouzja confirmed beautiful method in defending the rook and bishop vs. rook endgame that finally adopted. Amusingly, as they approached the 50-move rule, Nepomniachtchi hung a full rook with out altering the consequence—the sport was a draw after 162 strikes.
Nepo hangs his entire rook and each gamers can not help however smile! 😆 Luckily, it is nonetheless a draw.#ChessChamps #ChessableMasters pic.twitter.com/UTWylo4yv5
— chess24.com (@chess24com) February 5, 2024
In sport two, Firouzja essayed 1.Nc3 and transposed into the Jobava London System, repeating the primary strikes of their final over-the-board encounter in Tata Metal Chess 2024. Firouzja had attacking possibilities even after buying and selling queens, however it resulted in a draw after 36 strikes.
Armageddon pressured a end in an in any other case even match. Firouzja in the end held a heavy-piece endgame and even gained when Nepomniachtchi, in a must-win scenario, overreached.
The specified consequence may have come a lot sooner if Firouzja discovered a trick within the opening that each gamers missed for 2 strikes. Can you discover the transfer two super-GMs neglected? Black to maneuver and win materials.
Firouzja should win two matches in opposition to Carlsen on Wednesday with a view to declare the title and a spot within the CCT Finals. As he identified in his interview, his countryman GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave confirmed final yr that it’s, no less than, doable.
Firouzja was optimistic: “Typically, I am very proud of my play, I feel. I do not suppose I would like to vary a lot for the Grand Remaining. If I maintain taking part in this degree, I’ve possibilities.”
If I maintain taking part in this degree, I’ve possibilities.
—Alireza Firouzja
Division II
The youthful grandmaster, Keymer, emerged on prime of the conflict of generations in Division II. After a attract sport one, Aronian collapsed in time hassle within the subsequent two video games, blundering a full piece in each when taking part in on simply the increment.
Nonetheless, he took down Bok to earn his second probability on the title. After buying and selling wins, Aronian held the armageddon sport with Black to advance. His victory in sport two featured a brief rook sacrifice and a long-term assault.
The Keymer vs. Aronian Grand Remaining match has nice implications. The winner will take house $15,000, however extra importantly can even robotically qualify for Division I of the following occasion, which comes with a minimal of $7,500 with an opportunity to win extra.
Yow will discover the total brackets and pairings for Division II right here.
Division III
Like Aronian, Grischuk can have a second shot at successful this division on Tuesday. He should enhance on his efficiency on day six, nevertheless, the place he misplaced all three video games in opposition to Sarana.
Recreation three was probably the most entertaining, the place in a must-win scenario Grischuk pressed the “chaos” button and turned up the dial. It was a brief sport, which he misplaced, however the fireworks had been spectacular:
In all three divisions, we are going to see a conflict of generations within the Grand Finals. On one hand, we’ve got Firouzja (age 20), Keymer (19), Sarana (24)—and on the opposite Carlsen (33), Aronian (41), and Grischuk (40). Will the children assert themselves on the world stage, or will the veterans educate them a lesson?
Yow will discover the total brackets and pairings for Division III right here.
The 2024 Chessable Masters is the primary of 4 occasions on the 2024 Champions Chess Tour 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 contains a $300,000 prize fund.
Earlier protection:
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