World Cup Round 4 Tiebreaks: Hikaru Nakamura and Ju Wenjun are out
Round 4 tiebreaks saw another set of top players eliminated from the World Cup, including a shocking exit by one of the world’s top players, Hikaru Nakamura In the Open tournament, Magnus Carlsen triumphed over Vincent Keymer after two rapid tiebreak matches. Hikaru Nakamura, one of the favourites in the event, was eliminated after losing both tiebreak games to the 18-year-old Indian prodigy R Praggnanandhaa. In the Women’s tournament, World Champion Ju Wenjun was eliminated after losing to Germany’s Elisabeth Paehtz in the first tiebreaker (0.5:1.5), while Georgia’s Bella Khotenashvili defeated India’s Humpy Koneru. The Open Tournament Highlights Magnus Carlsen managed to qualify to the next stage but it wasn’t easy: the World Champion in Rapid had to play two sets of rapid matches against German prodigy Vincent Keymer who gave the Norwegian a nasty shock, defeating him two days ago. The first tiebreak match ended with two draws, despite Carlsen having strong chances in both games. The second tiebreak match started with a draw where neither side managed to get an advantage. In the second game, Carlsen had a winning position by move 23. However, he first dropped the advantage but then regained it a few moves later. Carlsen continued to gradually improve his position until forcing Keymer to surrender after 68 moves in a queens’ endgame. One of the strongest world players, including in rapid chess, Hikaru Nakamura, was knocked out of the World Cup today by R Praggnanandhaa who turned 18 just yesterday! The Indian defeated Nakamura in both of their rapid games during the first tiebreak. In both games, Praggnanandhaa emerged better from the opening and held the initiative until sealing the victory. Surprisingly, as soon as Praggnanandhaa won, Magnus Carlsen, who was in the middle of his own game, stood up to congratulate the Indian player. Speaking after his victory, the 18-year-old Indian happily noted: “It is one of my best days”. In another notable upset, Azerbaijan’s Nijat Abasov overcame the seasoned Grandmaster Peter Svidler, winning 1.5:0.5 in their rapid tiebreak. Svidler lost the second rapid game as White after blundering in an even position. One of the top favourites, Ian Nepomniachtchi, defeated Nihal Sarin 2:0 in their rapid tiebreak match. Sarin had more chances in the first game and missed a win, while in the second his opponent dominated throughout the game. Salem Saleh advanced into the round of 16 after defeating Daniele Vocaturo in both rapids finishing a great run of the Italian GM in Baku. Gukesh D is also through after beating Esipenko 1.5:0.5 in the first tiebreaker. Duda, Dominguez and Ivanchuk progressed to the 1/8 stage after winning in their second rapid matches of the day. The longest tiebreak duel of the day was played between China’s Wang Hao and Germany’s Rasmus Svane. After all four games in the two rapid tiebreak matches ended in a draw, it all came down to the Blitz. In time trouble, Wang Hao missed a winning opportunity in game one which ended in a draw. In the second 5+3 game the opponents split a point as well. The German finally broke in the endgame of the first 3+2 game allowing Wang to win and proceed to the next stage. The Women’s Tournament Highlights The Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun has been knocked out of the Women’s World Cup after losing the second tiebreak game to Germany’s Elisabeth Paehtz. The tiebreaker saw a quiet draw in game one, but in game two Paehtz (playing as White) punished her opponent’s imprecisions made early on and converted her sizable positional advantage in a rook endgame. In another big upset, Women’s fourth strongest woman player, Humpy Koneru, lost both of her rapid games against Georgia’s Bella Khotenashvili. The Georgian was clearly better in game one, but in the second duel, Harika blundered in an even position and ended up facing checkmate. Bulgaria’s Nurgyul Salimova is through to the next stage, having prevailed over Medina Warda Aulia 1.5:0.5 in the first tiebreaker after the player from Indonesia blundered in a better position as Black in game two. Harika Dronavalli bested Dutch Women’s Champion Eline Roebers. The full results of today’s tiebreaks can be found here: https://worldcup2023.fide.com/pairings. Round five starts on Saturday, 12th of August, at 3 PM local time in Baku, Azerbaijan. Here follows a closer look at some of the top games of the round four tiebreaks: In the first game of the tiebreak rapid match, Praggnanandha achieved a better position as Black as early as move nine after White played 9.a3 White should have opted for 9.d4 as was played in numerous games but Hikaru mixed up his move order. After 9…Ba5 10.d3 Nxd5! 11.cxd5 Nb8 (a seemingly unnatural but the right move) 12.dxe4 gxh4 13.Bh6 Re8 14.gxh4 Qxh4 15.Qc1 f6 16.Kh1 Nd7 and Black had little problem converting his extra piece. 33 moves, 0-1 The Indian prodigy outplayed Nakamura in their second game as well, justifying his place in the final 16. Peter Svidler was out after misplaying in an even position, against Nijat Abasov. The best option for White was 25.Bc7. Instead, Svidler played 25.Bg5? but overlooked a strong reply by his opponent. 25…Ne5! 26.Nd6 Nxd6 27.Bxb7 Bc5 and White resigned facing either losing his queen or checkmate attack he can not defend himself from. 0-1 Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun exits the World Cup without much to show. In almost all of her games – including those where she had the initiative of the first move – she played rather quietly and without much vigour. After making a relatively quick draw in an uneventful game where she was White, she got punished in the second one by Paehtsz. Ju started making mistakes early on, and White kept picking up on them. 9…Qb6? A first mistake. 9…Nxe5 is better for Black. 10.0-0 Be7 11.Nxd7! Nxd7 12.Bxd5! In the case of 12…exd5 13.Nxd5 and the e7-bishop is falling with the king trapped in the centre awaiting an unpleasant end. 12…Qxb2 13.Bxc6 bxc6 14.Qd3 0-0 White has a sizable advantage thanks to a better pawn structure and more active pieces. By move 22, White
FIDE against sexism and sexual abuse in chess
Statement of International Chess Federation against sexism and sexual abuse in chess At FIDE, we are deeply moved by the letter signed by over 100 women chess players denouncing sexist and sexual violence in chess. This letter, initiated by 14 women of French chess, has reverberated throughout the chess world. We commend these women for their courage and solidarity. FIDE stands firmly against any behavior and actions based on sexism including any form of abuse. We are proud that more women are playing chess than ever before, and they deserve a safe and respectful environment. We want to underline that we take any reports of sexism and abuse very seriously and are committed to improving the chess world. We want to encourage more girls and women to play chess and pursue their passion, whether as a hobby, a sport, or a career. We continue our work on a safeguarding policy for women in chess, as we want to provide them with the tools and support to feel safe and confident. In the meantime, we urge any women players who have faced misconduct to file a complaint with the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission. The EDC operates with confidentiality and respect for the complainant’s privacy. We believe in the power of the chess family too. Together, we can improve the culture and make our chess community a safe, respectful, and friendly space for everyone. Even if just one woman is experiencing abuse, it is one too many.
FIDE World Junior Rapid & Blitz U20 Championship: Free accommodation available
The chess world’s spotlight will turn on Pula (Sardinia), Italy, this fall as the first-ever FIDE World Junior Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship U20 approaches. The event will take place on the second-largest Mediterranean Island from October 9 (arrival) to October 16 (departure), 2023. The Organizing Committee is thrilled to announce an amazing opportunity for the first 50 Federations to reach out. Seize a unique chance to get free accommodation for a boy and a girl chess player in our partner hotels by registering by August 25, 2023. Players will be accommodated on a “first come, first served” basis in the partner hotels (check out the official website). To take advantage of such an opportunity, please email the OC juniorrapidandblitz2023@fide.com expressing your interest and including the following details: Name, Surname, and FIDE ID. Only National Chess Federations can apply; individuals cannot submit their own requests. Regulations and invitation letter (pdf) Official website: juniorrapidandblitz2023.fide.com Email: juniorrapidandblitz2023@fide.com Photo: Olaf Tausch