Magnus Carlsen's demolition job stunned world number 2, Fabiano Caruana, today as the Chessable Masters quarter-finals got underway.
The World Champion got into his stride straight away showing the crushing style he is famous for in a dominant first game win. Caruana, US number 1, was forced to resign again in the second as Carlsen, playing from a beach house in Denmark, extended his lead to 2-0.
In the third, Carlsen simply cruised to the draw that settled today's four-game set 2.5-0.5 one game early. Carlsen now takes control of the best-of-three tie with Caruana needing to win on Saturday to take it to a decider.
Asked how his day went, Carlsen said: "I would say it's pretty good, just got to keep it up." Speaking about his consistency, Carlsen added: "I wouldn't say I've been consistent at all - it feels like I've lost a million games!"
In the other quarter, the first game appeared to be heading for a draw before a disconnection saw Vladislav Artemiev run out of time and lose. The second ended in a draw before Artemiev, needing to avoid defeat in the third, fell disappointingly.
Ian Nepomniachtchi goes 1-0 up in the quarter-final. Ding Liren against Hikaru Nakamura and Alexander Grischuk against Anish Giri will start their quarter-final ties tomorrow.
About the tournament
The Chessable Masters, broadcast live on chess24, is the next stage of the Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour which carries a total prize pot of $1 million, a record for the online game.
The event, which runs until July 5, is being put on in association with Chessable and the tour's Education Partner, leading Swiss private banking group, Julius Baer.
The final winner will take home top prize of $45,000 and a ticket to the $300,000 tour Grand Final.
Coverage begins with commentary in 10 languages at 16.00 CEST.
You can watch it live here:
https://chess24.com/en/watch/live-tournaments/chessable-masters-2020-group-a#live
Highlights English:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1dpG2c-dmqs58tSDSZvxzGNqzgquJyO0g?usp=sharing
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Leon Watson
leon@chessable.com
+447786 078770
