The day started with shocking news as it was announced that World Champion Magnus Carlsen withdrew from the 2022 Sinquefield Cup prior to the start of his Round 4 game against Shakhriyar Mamedyarov. Carlsen did not yet give a specific reason for his withdrawal, tweeting the following statement:
Since Carlsen’s withdrawal from the event comes before the first half, his results will be annulled, and the tournament will proceed with nine players. Following the day’s round, Wesley So became the new leader of the event (2.5/4) after drawing with Ian Nepomniachtchi. In the remaining games, only Fabiano Caruana could score a victory, grinding a 92-move win in a queen ending against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave.
Mamedyarov did not get a chance to play today. | Photo Courtesy of Saint Louis Chess Club, Lennart Ootes
Niemann - Firouzja | ½-½, 43 moves
The game started out as a quiet Italian but got very sharp as Niemann offered an interesting piece sacrifice with 19.Qg3, which after a long thought, Firouzja declined, falling into a much worse position. A further exchange sacrifice left Niemann with a large advantage, but he failed to maintain his edge, allowing Firouzja to trade off one of White’s bishops. After that, it was Black who was slightly better, but Firouzja decided to give his extra exchange back and liquidate into a draw.
After Niemann’s 19.Qg3!, offering the knight on c4–in case of 19…dxc4 20.Bxh6 g6 21.Bg5 f6! would leave things quite unclear.
The battle of juniors, Niemann - Firouzja. | Photo Courtesy of Saint Louis Chess Club, Lennart Ootes
Caruana - Vachier-Lagrave | 1-0, 92 moves
The longest game of the event so far started out in a topical line of the English Attack (6.Be3) in the Najdorf. Caruana came well-prepared and was nearly winning out of the opening, but missed his best opportunities and instead ended up in a queen endgame with an extra pawn. The position still offered excellent winning chances for White, and although the evaluation swung to 0.00 a few times, the defense was incredibly difficult for MVL to maintain, and Caruana eventually converted his way to a win.
After 92.a7+, the final position of Caruana-MVL. If Black takes the pawn either way, White can force a winning king + pawn endgame.
A marathon win for Caruana, who is now tied for 2nd place. | Photo Courtesy of Saint Louis Chess Club, Lennart Ootes
Aronian - Dominguez | ½-½, 35 moves
An early Bc4 Sicilian left Aronian with a tiny plus out of the opening, but not enough to put serious pressure on Dominguez. Although White had a space advantage, Black’s control over the a-file gave him ample counterplay, and the players repeated moves shortly before move 40.
Aronian was a bit better today but could not find a way to achieve more. | Photo Courtesy of Saint Louis Chess Club, Lennart Ootes
Nepomniachtchi - So | ½-½, 25 moves
A highly theoretical Catalan saw Nepomniachtchi “testing” So’s preparation, going for a sharp line that leads to a forced draw if both sides play correctly. So “passed” the memory test, and the game was soon drawn by repetition. “Everyone was kind of distracted by the fact that Magnus didn’t show up today”, said So after the game.
After 18…Qa7!, hanging the knight on c6, with idea 19.Qxc6 Rb6! forcing a repetition: 20.b3 Bf8 (20…Rxc6 21.Nxc6+=) 21.Qa4 Ra6 22.Qb5 Rb6=
Wesley So had zero issues in today’s game. | Photo Courtesy of Saint Louis Chess Club, Lennart Ootes
The 2022 Sinquefield Cup continues Tuesday, September 6, with live coverage from grandmasters Peter Svidler, Yasser Seirawan, and Alejandro Ramirez starting at 12:50 PM CT on grandchesstour.org and on the Saint Louis Chess Club’s YouTube and Twitch.tv channels.
Text: IM Kostya Kavutskiy
Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz Sponsors
Further Information:
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Venue:
Saint Louis Chess Club
September 02-12, 2022
Press Contact:
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Livestream:
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Photos:
Courtesy of Grand Chess Tour and Spectrum Studios
Credits available on Flickr.
