2017-11-30

Zagreb Open 2017

The Zagreb Open in memory of the Croatian chess master Krunoslav Hulak (1951 – 2015) is a 9-round Swiss tournament taking place from 30 November to 7 December 2017 in Zagreb, Croatia. Players receive 90 minutes for 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes to the end of the game, plus a 30-second increment starting from move one.

Official site

Schedule: (UTC)

Round 1 Nov 30, 2017 16:00
Round 2 Dec 1, 2017 16:00
Round 3 Dec 2, 2017 09:00
Round 4 Dec 2, 2017 16:00
Round 5 Dec 3, 2017 16:00
Round 6 Dec 4, 2017 16:00
Round 7 Dec 5, 2017 16:00
Round 8 Dec 6, 2017 16:00
Round 9 Dec 7, 2017 16:00

Watch the games of the Zagreb Open 2017 with computer analysis LIVE on ChessBomb.

2017-11-29

Pro-Biz Cup 2017

The 5th edition of the Pro-Biz Cup is taking place in the Google HQ in King’s Cross in London on 30 November. The tournament gives tf the business people the chance to team up with some of the world's top chess players. The players are auctioned with all proceeds going to the Chess in Schools and Communities charity.
Carlsen, Kasparov, Aronian, Nakamura, Adams, Nepomniachtchi and Vachier-Lagrave take turns making moves with their amateur partner in an open tournament where each team has 20 minutes + 5 seconds increment per move for the whole game. Three such games will be played by each team, with blitz or Armageddon deciding the winner if required.

Official site

Schedule: (UTC)

Round 1 Nov 30, 2017 11:30
Round 2 Nov 30, 2017 13:00
Round 3 Nov 30, 2017 14:30

Watch the games of the Pro-Biz Cup 2017 with computer analysis LIVE on ChessBomb.

Italian Championship 2017

The Italian Championship is an 11-player round-robin tournament taking place from 29 November to 10 December in Cosenza, Italy. The players receive 100 minutes for 40 moves, followed by 50 minutes for 20 moves, then 15 minutes to the end of the game, plus a 30-second increment starting from move one.

Official site

Schedule: (UTC)

Round 1 Nov 29, 2017 14:00
Round 2 Nov 30, 2017 14:00
Round 3 Dec 01, 2017 14:00
Round 4 Dec 03, 2017 14:00
Round 5 Dec 04, 2017 14:00
Round 6 Dec 05, 2017 14:00
Round 7 Dec 06, 2017 14:00
Round 8 Dec 07, 2017 14:00
Round 9 Dec 08, 2017 14:00
Round 10 Dec 09, 2017 14:00
Round 11 Dec 10, 2017 09:00

Watch the games of the Italian Championship 2017 with computer analysis LIVE on ChessBomb.

Radzikowska WGM Tournament 2017

The Krystyna Hołuj–Radzikowska Women's Grandmaster Chess Tournament is a 10-player round-robin taking place from 28th of November till 6th of December 2017 in Hotel HP Park Plaza in Wrocław, Poland.

Time control: the players receive 90 minutes for 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes to the end of the game, with a 30-second increment from move one. No draw offers are allowed before move 30.

Official site

Schedule: (UTC+1)

Round 1 Nov 29, 2017 16:15
Round 2 Nov 30, 2017 16:00
Round 3 Dec 01, 2017 16:00
Round 4 Dec 02, 2017 16:00
Round 5 Dec 03, 2017 10:00
Round 6 Dec 03, 2017 17:00
Round 7 Dec 04, 2017 16:00
Round 8 Dec 05, 2017 16:00
Round 9 Dec 06, 2017 10:00

Watch the games of the Radzikowska WGM Tournament 2017 with computer analysis LIVE on ChessBomb.

2017-11-24

Belgrade Trophy 2017

The XXXI Belgrade Throphy 2017, organised by Belgrade Chess Federation and Belgrade Assembly internatonal openq is held from 24th of November till 2nd of December 2017.

Rate of play: 90 min for 40 moves + 15min till the end of the game + 30 seconds for each move.

Official site

Schedule:
Opening Ceremony – Thursday 24th of November, 16,30
Round from I to VIII start at 17,00
Last round IX strat at 14,00
Closing Ceremony – 20,00

Watch the games of the Belgrade Trophy 2017 with computer analysis LIVE on ChessBomb.

2017-11-23

Heusenstamm Sparkassen Open 2017

Heusenstamm Sparkassen Open 2017 is held in Heusenstammq Germany from 23rd till 26th of Novembre 2017.

Time control: 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, then 30 minutes for the rest. Starting with the first move, 30 seconds are added to the thinking time after each turn.
The waiting period to start the game is 30 minutes.

Official site

Schedule: (UTC)

Round 1 23/11 16:00
Round 2 24/11 08:30
Round 3 24/11 14:30
Round 4 25/11 08:30
Round 5 25/11 14:30
Round 6 26/11 08:00
Round 7 26/11 14:00

Watch the games of the Heusenstamm Sparkassen Open 2017 with computer analysis LIVE on ChessBomb.

Tsaghkadzor Open 2017

The Tsaghkadzor Open is a 9-round Swiss tournament taking place from 23rd of November till 1st of December 2017 in Tsaghkadzor, Armenia.

Time control: the players receive 90 minutes for 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes to the end of the game, plus a 30-second increment starting from move one.

Official site

Schedule: (UTC)

Round 1 Nov 23, 2017 11:00
Round 2 Nov 24, 2017 11:00
Round 3 Nov 25, 2017 11:00
Round 4 Nov 26, 2017 11:00
Round 5 Nov 27, 2017 11:00
Round 6 Nov 28, 2017 11:00
Round 7 Nov 29, 2017 11:00
Round 8 Nov 30, 2017 11:00
Round 9 Dec 01, 2017 07:00

Watch the games of the Tsaghkadzor Open 2017 with computer analysis LIVE on ChessBomb.

2017-11-21

Romanian International Open 2017

The Romanian International Open is a 9-round Swiss tournament taking place from 20-27 November 2017 in Alba Iulia. Players receive 90 minutes for 40 moves, followed by 15 minutes to the end of the game, plus a 30-second increment starting from move one.

Official site

Schedule: (UTC)

Round 1 Nov 20, 2017 14:00
Round 2 Nov 21, 2017 07:00
Round 3 Nov 21, 2017 14:00
Round 4 Nov 22, 2017 14:00
Round 5 Nov 23, 2017 14:00
Round 6 Nov 24, 2017 07:00
Round 7 Nov 24, 2017 14:00
Round 8 Nov 26, 2017 14:00
Round 9 Nov 27, 2017 07:00

Watch the games of the Romanian International Open 2017 with computer analysis LIVE on ChessBomb.

5th Srefidensi Masters 2017

The 5th Srefidensi Masters is a 9-round Swiss tournament taking place from 21-26 November 2017 in Paramaribo, Suriname.

Time control: the players receive 90 minutes for the entire game, plus a 30-second increment starting from move one.

Official site

Schedule: (UTC)

Round 1 Nov 21, 2017 21:30
Round 2 Nov 22, 2017 21:00
Round 3 Nov 23, 2017 12:30
Round 4 Nov 23, 2017 21:00
Round 5 Nov 24, 2017 12:30
Round 6 Nov 24, 2017 21:00
Round 7 Nov 25, 2017 12:30
Round 8 Nov 25, 2017 21:00
Round 9 Nov 26, 2017 12:30

Watch the games of the Champions Showdown 2017 with computer analysis LIVE on ChessBomb.

Omicon Group 43rd National A Chess Championship-2017

The Omicon Group 43rd National ‘A’ Chess Championship-2017, organised by Bangladesh Chess Federation, is held from 21st November till 5th of December 2017 at Bangladesh Chess Federation Hall-Room.

Time control: 90min/40moves+30min/end+30sec increment per move starting from move 1

Official site

Schedule: (UTC)

01 2017/11/21 10:00
02 2017/11/22 11:00
03 2017/11/23 11:00
04 2017/11/24 11:00
05 2017/11/26 11:00
06 2017/11/27 11:00
07 2017/11/28 11:00
08 2017/11/29 11:00
09 2017/11/30 11:00
10 2017/12/02 11:00
11 2017/12/03 11:00
12 2017/12/04 11:00
13 2017/12/05 11:00

Watch the games of the Omicon Group 43rd National A Chess Championship-2017 with computer analysis LIVE on ChessBomb.

2017-11-20

Runavik Open 2017

Runavik Open 2017 is held from 20th till 27th of November on the Faroer Islands
Time control: 90 min + 15 min after move 40, 30 sec inc all game

Official site

Schedule: (UTC)
Round 1 2017.11.20 18:00
Round 2 2017.11.21 15:00
Round 3 2017.11.22 09:00
Round 4 2017.11.22 15:00
Round 5 2017.11.23 15:00
Round 6 2017.11.24 15:00
Round 7 2017.11.25 09:00
Round 8 2017.11.25 15:00
Round 9 2017.11.26 14:00

Watch the games of the Runavik Open 2017 with computer analysis LIVE on ChessBomb.

2017-11-18

Czech Extraliga 2017

The Czech Extraliga is held in Novy Bor, Czech Republic from 18th of November 2017 till 8th of April 2018.
It is a strong team competition in which take part the 2013 European Club Cup winners. Twelve teams compete in matches on eight boards, over eight rounds on four weekends. The league culminates in a final weekend of three rounds where all teams play together in one location followed by the closing ceremony held after the last round. Each match-winning team receives three points, while in case of a draw each team earns one point. The two teams finishing last are relegated to a lower league.

Time control: the players have 90 minutes for 40 moves, then 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with an additional 30-second increment from move one.

Official site

Schedule: (UTC+)

Round 1 Nov 18, 2017 13:00
Round 2 Nov 19, 2017 09:00
Round 3 Dec 02, 2017 13:00
Round 4 Dec 03, 2017 09:00
Round 5 Jan 13, 2018 13:00
Round 6 Jan 14, 2018 09:00
Round 7 Feb 10, 2018 13:00
Round 8 Feb 11, 2018 09:00
Round 9 Apr 6, 2018 15:00
Round 10 Apr 7, 2018 13:00
Round 11 Apr 8, 2018 09:00

Watch the games of the Czech Extraliga 2017 with computer analysis LIVE on ChessBomb.

Patagonia Open 2017

The Patagonia Open is a 9-round Swiss tournament taking place from 18-15 November 2017 in Neuquen, Argentina.

Time control: the players receive 90 minutes for the entire game, plus a 30-second increment starting from move one.

Official site

Schedule: (UTC)
Round 1 Nov 18, 2017 19:00
Round 2 Nov 19, 2017 20:00
Round 3 Nov 20, 2017 13:00
Round 4 Nov 20, 2017 20:00
Round 5 Nov 21, 2017 19:00
Round 6 Nov 22, 2017 19:00
Round 7 Nov 23, 2017 19:00
Round 8 Nov 24, 2017 19:00
Round 9 Nov 25, 2017 13:00

Watch the games of the Patagonia Open 2017 with computer analysis LIVE on ChessBomb.

Danish XtraCon League 2017

The Danish XtraCon League 2017 is played from Saturday, July 21 to Sunday, July 29, 2018 at Konventum in Helsingør. This is a 10-team round-robin tournament played over several months at various cities.

Time control: the players receive 90 minutes for 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes to the end of the game, plus a 30-second increment starting from move one.

Official site

Schedule: (UTC)
Round 1 Nov 18, 2017 13:00
Round 2 Nov 19, 2017 09:00
Round 3 Dec 03, 2017 11:00
Round 4 Dec 17, 2017 11:00
Round 5 Jan 13, 2018 13:00
Round 6 Jan 14, 2018 09:00
Round 7 Feb 11, 2018 11:00
Round 8 Mar 10, 2018 13:00
Round 9 Mar 11, 2018 09:00

Watch the games of the Danish XtraCon League 2017 with computer analysis LIVE on ChessBomb.

Saint Louis Invitational 2017

The 2017 Saint Louis Invitational features two 10-player round-robins taking place from 17-22 November in the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. The top event is a tournament where talented young players have a chance to gain a GM norm.

The time control is 90 minutes per player for all moves, with a 30-second increment per move from move 1. The total prize fund is $15,000.

Official site

Schedule of both GM and IM tournaments (UTC)
Round 1 Nov 17, 2017 23:00
Round 2 Nov 18, 2017 17:00
Round 3 Nov 18, 2017 23:00
Round 4 Nov 19, 2017 17:00
Round 5 Nov 19, 2017 23:00
Round 6 Nov 20, 2017 17:00
Round 7 Nov 20, 2017 23:00
Round 8 Nov 21, 2017 17:00
Round 9 Nov 22, 2017 17:00

Players in the GM tourament:

#	Name	Pts	SB
1	Ashwin, Jayaram	1	0
	Bartholomew, John	1	0
	Burke, John M	1	0
	Zierk, Steven C	1	0
5	Gurevich, Daniel	0.5	0.25
	Hambleton, Aman	0.5	0.25
7	Chirila, Ioan-Cristian	0	0
	Sadorra, Julio Catalino	0	0
	Shetty, Atulya	0	0
	Sturt, Raven M	0	0

Players in the IM tourament:

#	Name	Pts	SB
1	Grabinsky, Aaron	1	0
	Wang, Annie	1	0
3	Arias Santana, Mauricio	0.5	0.25
	Larson, Matthew W	0.5	0.25
	Neimer, Vitaly	0.5	0.25
	Torres Rosas, Luis Carlos	0.5	0.25
	Wang, Justin	0.5	0.25
	Yip, Carissa	0.5	0.25
9	Foisor, Sabina-Francesca	0	0
	Hua, Lefong	0	0

Watch the games of the Saint Louis Invitational GM 2017 and Saint Louis Invitational IM 2017 with computer analysis LIVE on ChessBomb.

2017-11-17

Yugra Governor's Cup 2017

The 13th edition of the Yugra Governor's Cup is taking place in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia from 17th till 25th of November 2017. The 9-round Swiss open is a stage of the Russian Cup. The first prize is 300,000 roubles ($3,000).

Time control: the players receive 90 minutes for the entire game, plus a 30-second increment starting from move one. No draw offers are allowed before move 40.

Official site

Schedule: (UTC)
Round 1 Nov 17, 2017 10:00
Round 2 Nov 18, 2017 10:00
Round 3 Nov 19, 2017 10:00
Round 4 Nov 20, 2017 10:00
Round 5 Nov 21, 2017 10:00
Round 6 Nov 22, 2017 10:00
Round 7 Nov 23, 2017 10:00
Round 8 Nov 24, 2017 10:00
Round 9 Nov 25, 2017 05:00

Watch the games of the Yugra Governor's Cup 2017 with computer analysis LIVE on ChessBomb.

Latvian Teams Chess Championship 2017

The Latvian Teams Chess Championship is held in Riga, Latvia from 17th till 21st of November 2017. The championship is bringing together 15 teams with 115 players from 11 countries - 26 female and male masters and international masters.

Official site

Schedule (UTC):
Round 1 17.11. 16:15
Round 2 18.11. 09:00
Round 3 18.11. 15:00
Round 4 19.11. 09:00
Round 5 19.11 15:00
Round 6 20.11 09:00
Round 7 20.11 15:00

Watch the games of the Latvian Teams Chess Championship 2017 with computer analysis LIVE on ChessBomb.

2017-11-16

World Champion Magnus Carlsen and Americans Dominate at Champions Showdown in Saint Louis

SAINT LOUIS (November 15, 2017) – Six days of fast time controls with no increment or delay proved to be exactly what viewers were wanting to watch. Blood was literally spilled as the three Americans, Grandmasters Fabiano Caruana, Hikaru Nakamura, and Wesley So beat their opponents Alexander Grischuk, Veselin Topalov, and Leinier Dominguez, respectively. By the end of day six, the reigning World Champion, Magnus Carlsen, also proved that he is nearly impossible to beat.

Two of the matchups came down to the last day, with GMs Wesley So and Fabiano Caruana narrowly edging out their opponents. Both players were down on the second to last day of play and came back to win nearly all of the final blitz games to clinch the victories. Wesley So was hitting his clock so hard he broke open a callus on his hand leaving blood splatter covering the clock. At the same time, GMs Hikaru Nakamura and Magnus Carlsen dominated their opponents to prove their true grit in the rapid and blitz games.

“The time controls provide some of the most frenetic chess we’ve see in a quite a while, said Tony Rich, executive director of the Saint Louis Chess Club. “These are the best players in the world and to watch these games come down to pieces flying, was an outstanding experience for chess enthusiasts.“

At the end of the tournament, each winner took home $60,000, while the opponents took home an impressive $40,000 for a grand total of $400,000, courtesy of the generous support of Saint Louis Chess Club founders Dr. Jeanne and Rex Sinquefield. As chess continues to rise in prominence around the globe, this prize fund reflects that of what true professional athletes make for their hard work at the board.

For more information, visit www.uschesschamps.com.

Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis
4657 Maryland Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63108 | (314) 361-CHESS (2437)

The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis acknowledges Dr. Jeanne and Rex Sinquefield, whose generous support makes our tournaments and programming possible.

The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis and World Chess Hall of Fame admit students and visitors of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Super GM Tournament - Palma de Mallorca FIDE Grand Prix 2017

The Palma de Mallorca FIDE Grand Prix 2017 is is held in Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands in Spain from 16th till 25th of November 2017. This is the last of the four events from the 2017 Grand Prix series. It follow’s the Sharjah Grand Prix in February, the Moscow Grand Prix in May and the Geneva Grand Prix in July. Each of the 24 players competing in the Grand Prix series must play in three of the four events. The players compete in a 9-round Swiss open. The top two players in it will qualify for the 2018 Candidates Tournament.

Watch back at the games of the Geneva FIDE Grand Prix 2017 ; the Moscow FIDE Grand Prix 2017 and Sharjah Masters 2017 with computer analysis LIVE on ChessBomb.

Official site

Schedule: (UTC)
Round 1 — 16.11.2017. — 13:00
Round 2 — 17.11.2017. — 13:00
Round 3 — 18.11.2017. — 13:00
Round 4 — 19.11.2017. — 13:00
Round 5 — 20.11.2017. — 13:00

Tuesday 21 Rest Day

Round 6 — 22.11.2017. — 13:00
Round 7 — 23.11.2017. — 13:00
Round 8 — 24.11.2017. — 13:00
Round 9 — 25.11.2017. — 13:00

Watch the games of the Palma de Mallorca FIDE Grand Prix 2017 with computer analysis LIVE on ChessBomb.

2017-11-15

Cearense Chess Championship 2017

The Cearense Chess Championship is a 10-player round-robin tournament taking place from 15th till 20th of November 2017 in Fortaleza, Cearense, Brazil.

Time control: the players receive 90 minutes for the entire game, plus a 30-second increment starting from move one.

Official site

Schedule: (UTC)

Round 1 Nov 15, 2017 19:00
Round 2 Nov 17, 2017 22:00
Round 3 Nov 18, 2017 19:00
Round 4 Nov 19, 2017 19:00
Round 5 Nov 21, 2017 22:00
Round 6 Nov 22, 2017 22:00
Round 7 Nov 24, 2017 22:00
Round 8 Nov 25, 2017 19:00
Round 9 Nov 26, 2017 19:00

Watch the games of the Cearense Chess Championship 2017 with computer analysis LIVE on ChessBomb.

Eliseev Memorial 2017

The Eliseev Memorial is taking place in the Petrosian Club in Moscow from 15th till 25th of November 2017.
The tournament is in memory of Yurii Eliseev (1996-2016), a promising Russian player who tragically died last year at the age of 20. The organiser is Daniil Dubov, who also plays in a 6-player round-robin together with five more grandmaster - friends of Yurii's. The second part of the tournament will have different players who are yet to be announced.

The time control is 90 minutes for the entire game, with a 30-second increment from move one. The games are not rated.

Official site

Schedule (UTC)
Round 1 Nov 15, 2017 12:00
Round 2 Nov 16, 2017 12:00
Round 3 Nov 17, 2017 12:00
Round 4 Nov 18, 2017 12:00
Round 5 Nov 19, 2017 12:00

Watch the games of the Eliseev Memorial 2017 with computer analysis LIVE on ChessBomb.

Champions Showdown 2017 - Day 6 Recap

Watch the games of the Champions Showdown 2017 with computer analysis LIVE on ChessBomb.

by GM Alejandro Ramirez

The sixth and final day of the Champions Showdown was a formality for the players, since Magnus Carlsen's crushing performance on days four and five already sealed the deal in his favor. Despite speculation that the World Champion would push hard for a 3000 blitz rating, arbiter Tony Rich informed us early on that none of day six's games count towards ratings. Official FIDE rules indicate that once a match winner has been determined, the remaining games of the match cannot count for rating. Since Carlsen clinched yesterday with a round to spare, neither that last round nor today were officially counted for FIDE ratings.

Read More >

Photo by Lennart Ootes.

With honor on the line, and as competitive as these players are, there was no lull in the action despite the lack of outside incentive. Indeed, the players' games today can be described as blazes of fury, one after another; though, unfortunately for Ding Liren, he was again in the receiving end of the great majority of these games.

In another funny series of results, it seemed like the white pieces were simply unable to perform! Ding Liren had real chances in his first game with black, but Carlsen managed to get out of trouble, and immediately after struck a win with a nicely timed queen sacrifice for a tremendous outside a-pawn. Ding Liren seemed to be in gear as he spurred a repetition to convert a winning endgame. And, more or less like yesterday, after Ding Liren's one win, the fun stopped.

Photo by Lennart Ootes.

Carlsen's resourcefulness in the hedgehog proved to be too much for his opponent and Ding Liren was out in 24 moves. The Chinese player was winning the next game, but he was simply too slow and was flagged in king and rook vs. king, resulting in a draw. Ding Liren had many more opportunities to win games, but his spirit wasn't there and he was playing against machine-like defense when things got tough. The World Champion was ruthless, even being somewhat dissatisfied with his play:

"I'm not 100% thrilled with the way things went today - he had so many chances!” remarked Carlsen, who also had an explanation of how he saved so many games today. "In blitz, a winning position is not enough. If there’s no clear way to win it, it doesn’t really matter that much!"

Photo by Lennart Ootes.

This was the most one-sided match of the event, even surpassing Nakamura-Topalov by quite a big margin.

The players will gear up for their following commitments: Ding Liren immediately departed for the Grand Prix in Palma de Mallorca, while Magnus Carlsen will be headlining the final leg of the Grand Chess Tour in London.

Watch all the action live on USChessChamps.com

Further Information:
Web: U SChessChamps.Com | Twitter: @STLChessClub
#ChampionsShowdown

Venue:
Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis
November 9-14, 2017

Press Contact:
Kiley Herndon
kherndon@saintlouischessclub.org

Livestream:
U SChessChamps.Com

Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis
4657 Maryland Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63108
USA
info@saintlouischessclub.org

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It is the mission of the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, an educational organization, to maintain a formal program of instruction to teach the game of chess and to promote and support its educational program through community outreach and local and national partnerships to increase the awareness of the educational value of chess.

Watch the games of the Champions Showdown 2017 with computer analysis LIVE on ChessBomb.

2017-11-14

Nona Gaprindashvili Cup 2017

Nona Gaprindashvili Cup 2017 is held in Tbilisi Georgia from 13th till 21st of October 2017. It is organised from the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs of Georgia; Georgian Chess Federation.

Official site

90min/40moves+30min/end+30sec increment per move starting from move 1

Schedule: (UTC)

Round 1 2017/11/13 14:00
Round 2 2017/11/14 14:00
Round 3 2017/11/15 14:00
Round 4 2017/11/16 14:00
Round 5 2017/11/17 14:00
Round 6 2017/11/18 14:00
Round 7 2017/11/19 14:00
Round 8 2017/11/20 14:00
Round 9 2017/11/21 13:00

Watch the games of the Nona Gaprindashvili Cup 2017 with computer analysis LIVE on ChessBomb.

Champions Showdown 2017 - Day 5 Recap

Watch the games of the Champions Showdown 2017 with computer analysis LIVE on ChessBomb.

by GM Alejandro Ramirez

With the other matches decided and finished, it was a two-man show at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis as Ding Liren and Magnus Carlsen entered their day three. Well, one could argue that it was really a one-man show, as Ding Liren was simply wiped off the board despite winning the first game.

Read More >

Photo by Lennart Ootes.

Things started off with fireworks as the Chinese super star crushed the World Champion in the black side of a Paulsen Sicilian. His play was fast, accurate and remarkable – it was a good quality game if it was a correspondence time control, and almost unbelievable in a 10 minute game! Unfortunately for Ding Liren's fans, that's basically where the fun ended.

Photo by Lennart Ootes.

Carlsen came back with a vengeance, winning game after game after game. His style was fluid and solid, and his mistakes minimal. His precision was coupled with better time management than his opponent. It wasn't that Ding Liren played particularly slowly, but his opponent was just playing moves at rocket speed. Every mistake that Ding Liren played was almost immediately punished. To say that Ding Liren played badly today would be an exaggeration, he was certainly playing below his usual level, but he was also facing a machine.

Photo by Spectrum Studios.

Carlsen won a few games in his typical style: pressing positions from minimal advantages. This caused his opponent to crack on the fourth game and flag in the seventh, while game five was simply complete annihilation. Ding Liren managed a sole draw after the initial bout of the day, and the match was over after the seventh game of the day.

Tomorrow the players will play for honor, as the match has been completely decided. The score is currently an insurmountable 50-18 in favor of the World Champion.

Watch all the action live on USChessChamps.com

Watch the games of the Champions Showdown 2017 with computer analysis LIVE on ChessBomb.