World number 1 Magnus Carlsen and No. 23 CHEAP Praggnanandhaa tested each other’s ambitions – largely by observing body language rather than aggressive movements – before deciding to draw in the first classic of their two-game draw on Tuesday. .
Playing the first ever knockout World Cup final in Baku, Azerbaijan, they split the points after 35 moves by the Finchetto row in the Four Knights variation in the English opening match.
Five-time world champion Carlsen, 32, who became GM in 2004 before Prag was born (2005), will play white in the second game on Wednesday. Whoever wins this game will win the title and the top prize of 110,000 USD. Another draw will take the match to a short-lived tie-break scheduled for Thursday.
DAY 1: AS IT HAPPENED
During the official webcast, GM Peter Leko said: “It is an honor to comment on this game, with so many possibilities and rich tactical nuances. Both played very well.”
Carlsen: I got food poisoning
After arriving half a minute late in a three-minute tiebreak with Erigaisi Arjun In the quarterfinals, Prag strode into the room early and took his seat. Carlsen arrived at the right time and took almost two minutes before answering e5 for Prag’s first move c4. There was some pressure on the queen from the start and Carlsen lost almost half an hour on his 13th move, responding with Rb8 for Prag’s Ba3. Both players enter the castle shortly after exchanging knights. On the 20th move, both the bishop and queen are swapped.
When a tie is agreed after 35 moves, both players have rooks, rooks, and three pawns on the board. Carlsen’s 25-minute advantage on the clock counts for very little as Prag will make the first control of 40 moves (90 minutes in 30-second increments) and there will be an additional 30 minutes from the 41st move.
This is only the second classic match (standard time control) between Carlsen and Prag without a decisive match. Magnus Carlsen said after the draw that he had food poisoning and could not eat for two days.
“Maybe I played a little bit better. I really don’t mind a draw. Normally, I would have a slight advantage when I have a day off and Prag has to play a tie-break. But I’ve been in bad shape for the past few days. .I had food poisoning. I haven’t been able to eat for the past two days. That means I’m calm and don’t have much energy left to worry. Overall, I’m satisfied with the way I handled the opening,” he said.
Prag felt he had no trouble in this game. “What I played after the 13th move wasn’t the best test move but I couldn’t find the best next move.” Regarding the second game, he said, “It’s going to be a fight. He’s going to try really hard. I’ll try to rest and come back in a good mood, that’s the best I can do. .”
Meanwhile, USA’s Fabiano Caruana, who was eliminated from the tournament without losing a match in the classic 12, lost his first match of the third-place tie to his opponent. Niyat Abasov. He fell into the trap after being number 1 in the world. The host boy number 97 put constant pressure on the king team. The 31-year-old slipped with Qb4 in the 23rd round and created a chance for Abasov to win right on the 11m mark.
Caruana was so upset with his play that he didn’t rearrange his pieces after resigning and leaving the playroom immediately. He faces a must-win situation on Wednesday. Prag, Abasov, Caruana and Nepomniachtchi made it to the eight-man Candidates tournament next April.
ClockGrandmaster Praggnanandhaa stunned Caruana, preparing to face Carlsen in the final
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