GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov convincingly received Division I of the Champions Chess Tour ChessKid Cup 2023 on Friday. Going into sport 4 of the Grand Ultimate with Black and a fair rating, he defeated GM Fabiano Caruana. No tiebreak or second set was wanted.
GM Vladimir Fedoseev confirmed nice combating spirit in his match towards GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov within the Division II Grand Ultimate. After shedding sport two and drawing in sport three, he received on demand with Black within the final sport to succeed in the armageddon tiebreak. There, he received with the white items, utterly turning the tables and successful the division.
GM Alan Pichot bested GM Pentala Harikrishna within the Grand Ultimate of Division III. Reaching a fair rating after 4 video games, with one win every, the match was determined within the armageddon tiebreak. Pichot received a fully bamboozling pawn race with Black (after his opponent ran out of time) to earn the title.
All members begin with “two lives” within the double-elimination format, however all three champions received their divisions with out shedding a single match this week.
Division I
After 4 days, the sector of eight gamers funneled down to simply two: Caruana and Abdusattorov. Whereas Caruana achieved successful positions in video games one and two, the benefit slipped via his fingers like sand. Though the U.S. champion received sport three, the Uzbek Olympic gold medalist confirmed iron resilience regardless of how the playing cards have been stacked towards him and received a clear sport 4.
The American grandmaster performed a spectacular first sport. In reality, this nice attacking sport would have in any other case been top-of-the-line within the match—till Abdusattorov managed to attract the sport with a knight much less within the endgame.
Resourceful Abdusattorov defends a totally shedding place! Draw! 🤯#ChessChamps #ChessKidCup pic.twitter.com/ZwcyN7D4WY
— ChesscomLive (@ChesscomLive) Could 26, 2023
The Uzbek prodigy received sport two on the black facet of the Rossolimo Sicilian Protection. Regardless of the commerce of queens on transfer 21, the place devolved into mayhem. After Abdusattorov survived one other misplaced place, the sport shifted to the completely absurd-looking tactical melee following the funny-looking (and finest) 28…Na3!.
Quickly, the strikes have been all tactical, all prospects have been short-term, and positional play was thrown out the window. The youthful grandmaster landed the ultimate blow with the curtain-closing 38…f4!, which commentator Howell referred to as out on the printed.
It wasn’t probably the most correct, nevertheless it was actually probably the most thrilling sport. This slugfest is our Sport of the Day, annotated by GM Rafael Leitao beneath.
Caruana received a shaky sport three the place he practically let the benefit slip but once more in an endgame with queen and rook for all sides.
However sport 4 determined the champion. Simply as commentator Naroditsky defined that Black had the preferable facet of the draw, Caruana blundered a pawn. The youthful participant confirmed beautiful method from there to win the sport and prevented each tempting pitfall alongside the best way (proven beneath).
Abdusattorov stated within the interview that the sport he was most happy with from this match was the fourth. Requested how he’ll have a good time, he reminded us that Norway Chess 2023 is true across the nook (beginning Monday). He seems to be ahead to enjoying GM Magnus Carlsen, whom he defeated of their first and solely classical encounter at Tata Metal Chess 2023.
“I’ll simply begin concentrating for Norway Chess… in fact, Magnus performs there. I’m excited to play towards him.”
After successful the #ChessKidCup, Abdusattorov has little time to have a good time and can put together for #NorwayChess. #ChessChamps pic.twitter.com/d6l8zszSuQ
— ChesscomLive (@ChesscomLive) Could 26, 2023
Abdusattorov pockets $30,000, 150 tour factors, a ticket to Division I of the subsequent occasion, and most significantly certainly one of eight seats within the CCT Playoffs. Ending second, Caruana nonetheless earns a ticket to Division I within the subsequent CCT occasion, 100 division factors, and $20,000.
Division I Standings
Division II
Mamedyarov was off to an excellent begin on this match towards Fedoseev after successful sport two. After making a second attract sport three, it seemed like a second set was attainable. However the “Huge Fish” turned issues round from there.
In sport 4, Fedoseev showcased a eager tactical consciousness even in a simplified endgame to win on demand. The tactical 34…g5! might have led to a study-like endgame brilliancy if Mamedyarov had captured it, proven within the notes beneath.
The armageddon sport was a heartbreaker for Mamedyarov. After lacking a single successful transfer within the middlegame on transfer 19, the sport grew to become virtually troublesome—after which objectively not possible— to defend.
Fedoseev earns $10,000, 50 tour factors, and a ticket to Division I of the subsequent CCT occasion. Mamedyarov earns $7,500 and 30 tour factors for his second-place end.
Division II Standings
Division III
This was one other match that almost made it to the second set. However the Argentine grandmaster stated, “No, thanks” to the extra drama as he shut down these goals within the armageddon sport.
An attention-grabbing sample on this match is that every one the wins have been reached with the black items. The 2 decisive video games, two and three, have been determined by Black, and so was the tiebreaker.
A Queen’s Indian Protection (by transposition) was the battleground for fireworks within the armageddon. A wild sport that may certainly be studied for a very long time led to one of many wildest pawn races possible, with each side pushing related handed pawns.
As you click on, put your self within the gamers’ footwear: you every have one minute on the clock with no increment. Go.
Pichot wins $5,000 and 20 tour factors. Harikrishna, for ending in second, is compensated $3,600 and 15 tour factors.
Division III Standings
Tour Standings
Complete Prize Distribution
The Champions Chess Tour 2023 (CCT) is an enormous chess circuit combining the most effective options of earlier Champions Chess Tour editions with the Chess.com International Championship. The tour includes six occasions spanning your entire yr and culminating in reside in-person Finals. With the perfect gamers on this planet and a $2,000,000 prize fund, the CCT is Chess.com’s most vital occasion up to now.
Solely grandmasters are eligible for computerized entry into the Play-In Part. Different titled gamers (IM and beneath) can play within the Qualifiers that happen each Monday beginning February 13, besides on weeks with a Play-In or Knockout (21 in whole). The highest three gamers from every Qualifier will likely be eligible to take part within the upcoming Play-In.
Earlier studies: