World number-one Magnus Carlsen exploited a blunder by IM Samant Aditya S to win a 3rd recreation in 4 rounds and catch GM Hikaru Nakamura, who was held to a draw by GM David Paravyan. With three rounds to go the favorites are half some extent behind a four-player main pack, after GM Narayanan Sunilduth Lyna drew and was caught by GMs Arjun Erigaisi, Javokhir Sindarov, and Nodirbek Yakubboev. 

Spherical seven begins on October 18 at 8:15 a.m. ET/14:15 CEST/5:45 p.m. IST.

Time is working out in Qatar, and with simply three rounds to go after spherical six the strain was on the highest gamers who had suffered setbacks to win on demand and keep in rivalry for the highest locations. A lot of them managed.

We noticed bounce-back wins, with GM Gukesh Dommaraju inflicting a primary lack of the occasion on his Indian countrywoman IM Vaishali Rameshbabu, who put up an incredible battle however missed some probabilities in time hassle. Quantity-three seed GM Anish Giri additionally hit again from a primary loss to defeat Algerian GM Bilel Bellahcene in a recreation that felt like a complete refutation of White’s sacrifice of a chunk for 3 pawns—an concept first seen in 1957, however computer-disapproved. The ultimate place was memorable.

GM Vladimir Fedoseev has now received 4 video games in a row after his stunning 0/2 begin, however essentially the most noteworthy participant who’s been enjoying catch-up in Qatar is the highest seed, Carlsen. After a defeat and an incredible escape in his final two video games with the black items he returned to the ever-reliable Ruy Lopez, and outfoxed his younger opponent. Aditya was tempted to swap off queens and seize the a-pawn.  

Samant goes for an endgame, maybe seeing that he can win the e5 or a5-pawns, however evidently will probably be a brief achievement, whereas Carlsen has the higher long-term prospects! https://t.co/WrzqLDjyVE #QatarMasters2023 pic.twitter.com/YNOYub1Hlt

— chess24.com (@chess24com) October 17, 2023

Quickly, nonetheless, there was no strategy to defend White’s a-pawn, and Carlsen emerged with a transparent benefit on the board and on the clock. The strain advised, since on transfer 38 White tried to play an intermezzo as a substitute of merely taking a rook, which price each the sport and a few excoriating phrases from Nakamura: “A horrible, horrible blunder and admittedly simply unbelievable. To not take the rook right here is one thing nobody above 1800 ought to ever miss.”

Nakamura once more recapped that recreation, earlier than his personal draw towards Paravyan. The U.S. star defined that the actual fact he very almost blundered with 28.Ne5? (when 28…f5! would have left him in hassle) threw him off steadiness: “As quickly as you miss a one-move tactic already in your thoughts you’re a bit bit shaky.” Nakamura then missed an opportunity for a bonus and needed to accept forcing a draw by perpetual verify.

That meant that Carlsen had caught Nakamura on 4.5/6, however each gamers are well-placed for the event finale since they’re simply half some extent off the lead.

Narayanan, the only chief after spherical 5, sparked concern when he failed to point out up firstly of his recreation towards GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov. After quarter-hour he would have forfeited, however as a substitute he appeared after seven minutes and shrugged that off to make a snug draw—he had one probability to press for extra, however going for wild issues whereas main the occasion was onerous to justify.

That meant Narayanan might be caught, and he was—by three gamers. Sindarov received the battle of the 17-year-olds towards GM Aditya Mittal; 21-year-old Yakubboev received one other spectacular conflict, this time towards GM Rinat Jumabayev; and the highest-rated participant to steer is 20-year-old Arjun, whose opponent’s strategy to the opening appeared virtually like a joke.

Makarian decides to begin once more by bringing all his items again to their beginning place! 😀 https://t.co/MQJAsT80ix #QatarMasters2023 pic.twitter.com/iNa6XRJAvR

— chess24.com (@chess24com) October 17, 2023

As GM Dejan Bojkov explains in his Recreation of the Day, nonetheless, there was methodology to the insanity, and an interesting battle ensued.

Afterward Arjun defined that his sacrifice of a chunk for 3 pawns wasn’t preparation, however was an concept he knew about in such positions.

Interview with GM Arjun Erigiasi from India after successful a really fascinating recreation at Qatar Masters 2023 Spherical 6.

Carried out by @keti_chess @ArjunErigaisi #qatarmasters2023 pic.twitter.com/mbvtBLY1MG

— Qatar Chess (@QatarChess) October 17, 2023

In Wednesday’s spherical seven the leaders will conflict in Yakubboev-Arjun and Narayanan-Sindarov, whereas the highest two seeds will face gamers who made an exhilarating draw towards one another in spherical six. Carlsen has White towards two-time Indian Champion GM Karthikeyan Murali, whereas Nakamura is Black towards GM Parham Maghsoodloo in what’s set to be the primary all-2700 conflict of the event.

The standings look as follows with three rounds to go.

Qatar Masters | Standings After Spherical 6 (High 40)

Full standings

Qatar Masters | All Video games Spherical 6

The 2023 Qatar Masters is a nine-round open event for gamers rated 2300+. It takes place in Lusail, Qatar, on October 11-20 and boasts a $108,250 prize fund with $25,000 for first place, in addition to a $5,000 prize for the highest feminine participant.

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