Carlsen clinches first Meltwater Champions Chess Tour title
Magnus Carlsen survived a fierce fightback from Hikaru Nakamura to clinch his first Meltwater Champions Chess Tour title on Sunday. The World Champion broke his duck in the $1.5 million Tour events at the fifth attempt with a 3-1 final set victory that sealed the New In Chess Classic. “I’m really, really relieved,” Carlsen said. “I’m just so happy to have won one of these tournaments, it feels really good.” Carlsen takes the $30,000 top prize, 50 Tour points to leapfrog Wesley So into first place, and the Norwegian gets bragging rights against his old rival. Nakamura, who fought valiantly, cashes in $15,000 for his second prize. The American, one set behind after the first day, had got off to the perfect start by dominating game 1 almost from start to finish. Nakamura dominated the second too as Carlsen looked like he might just crack. But ahead in the set, Nakamura allowed Carlsen a draw by repetition. The champ escaped and Nakamura missed an opportunity to turn the screw. It proved crucial. If Nakamura was left regretting that decision, he would have regretted being too aggressive in game 3 even more. Carlsen’s killer instinct kicked in as soon as he spotted a weakness and made Nakamura pay the consequences. Nakamura’s lead vanished and he found himself going into game 4 in a must-win situation with the black pieces. Needing just a draw, the game went Carlsen’s way from the start. Nakamura eventually conceded the inevitable and accepted a draw. Carlsen had won the New In Chess Classic and pumped his arms in relief. Meanwhile, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, playing in his first Tour event, won the battle for third place beating Levon Aronian 2.5-0.5. The Meltwater Champions Chess Tour will be back on May 23 with the sixth leg. There are four tournaments to go before the big final in San Francisco. For further information, please contact: Leon Watson, PR for Play Magnus Groupleon@chessable.com+44 7786 078 770
Nona Gaprindashvili celebrates her 80th birthday
Photo: livepress.ge/ Nona Gaprindashvili has turned 80. I’m writing this line but I can’t believe it. How can she be 80? She’s been around for ages it seems. Only 80? She’s still so expressive, so pugnacious in a good way, so energetic. Already 80? Indeed, the legend of Georgian, Soviet, and world chess is celebrating her anniversary today. If not for COVID-19 restrictions, she would solemnly walk up to the stage of the Rustaveli National Theater in Tbilisi just like in 1962 when she won the title of Women’s World Champion and many times later when she became the first woman to got the title of grandmaster when she and her teammates won the first Olympic gold to independent Georgia… Nona is not just a great chess player – she has been a role model for several generations. Without her, there would be no Maia, no Nana, no Nino. All her teammates and friends retired from competitive chess long ago, but Nona keeps fighting – she has won several senior world championships and continues challenging chess players young enough to be not only her granddaughters but also great-granddaughters. She is just as upset after a defeat as 50 years ago, just as fond of post-mortem analysis and blitz-games on backstage, and still literally breathes chess. Of course, there is still soccer she is a great fan of and talks about politics, but no, chess is her first and only true love. When Nona opens a sentence with “listen,” be ready for an expressive proof to follow up. Nona, like a truly great champion, stands up for what she believes using the full palette of the Russian language that so wonderfully sounds with her rumbling Georgian accent. She is a real queen. Sometimes she softens up a bit and looks like a queen mother. But not for long – her eyes sparkle and the champion from Zugdidi is talking with you again. Photo: Mark Livshitz Character is forged in childhood, and it was back then, racing with the boys and standing toe to toe with them little Nona took her first steps toward greatness. There are thousands of games and hundreds of competitions behind her. But neither these numerous chess battles, nor a glorious career, nor the love and respect of the whole country and the entire chess world changed Nona. She is still the same – hale and hearty, with burning, even if sometimes tired eyes and indomitable spirit. Happy birthday, Nona Terentievna! Stay always as you are! Emil Sutovsky, FIDE Director General