A 10-hour marathon day at the $750,000 Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Las Vegas saw GM Levon Aronian follow up his shocking elimination of GM Magnus Carlsen by knocking out GM Hikaru Nakamura with a thrilling 2.5-1.5 score on Thursday.
The day’s semifinals lineup featured Aronian alongside GM Fabiano Caruana, who delivered an impressive 4-3 victory against GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu. Caruana’s journey wasn’t straightforward, as he initially lost the first game but made a remarkable comeback. His opponent, GM Hans Niemann, triumphed over GM Javokhir Sindarov through blitz tiebreaks after their first two games ended in draws. Lastly, GM Arjun Erigaisi secured his semifinal spot by outmaneuvering GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov 1.5-0.5, representing the only semifinalist to advance without tiebreaks.
Chaotic Lower Bracket
In the Lower Bracket, Carlsen effectively bounced back to keep his hopes alive by defeating GM Vidit Gujrathi 2-0. He was joined by GMs Vincent Keymer, Wesley So, and Lenier Dominguez, all advancing to fight for the enticing $100,000 third-place prize. The Semifinals are set to kick off on Friday, July 18, starting at 2 p.m. ET / 20:00 CEST / 11.30 p.m. IST.
Dramatic Matches Unfold
After a thrilling round-robin stage featuring 10 minutes plus a 10-second increment for each game, Friday’s excitement escalated with a format shift to slow rapid games lasting 30 minutes each, along with a 30-second increment. The intense atmosphere had chess enthusiasts on the edge of their seats. Commentator IM Levy Rozman, known as GothamChess, remarked, “If watching was as exhausting as it was, I can’t imagine what playing was like!”
Aronian vs. Nakamura
The matchup between Aronian and Nakamura had its share of surprises. Despite a promising position for Aronian with the white pieces, Nakamura struck back effectively, punishing Aronian’s 20.Rf1? blunder with precise moves, particularly 24…Nxc4!. In a dramatic twist, Nakamura nearly secured his passage to the Semifinals in game two, but a critical blunder allowed Aronian to level the score. With the match heading into tiebreaks, Nakamura faltered again, missing an opportunity to equalize during a difficult queen endgame. Aronian’s consecutive victories over the top two-rated players in the tournament shocked many, solidifying his rising status.
Caruana vs. Praggnanandhaa
Caruana’s encounter with Praggnanandhaa turned out to be the most dramatic. After stumbling in the first game and facing a must-win scenario, Caruana showed exceptional mental strength. Following a series of tactical maneuvers, he equalized in the subsequent games, sending the match into a thrilling blitz tiebreak. The final showdown became a nail-biting experience, characterized by unexpected twists that had spectators fully engaged. Caruana, with black pieces and draw odds in the first Armageddon game, managed to hold his nerve in a situation where every move was crucial.
Niemann vs. Sindarov
In another noteworthy clash, Niemann continued to establish himself as a strong contender by defeating Sindarov. After drawing the initial rapid games, Niemann displayed his blitz prowess, winning decisive games that propelled him into the next stage. His confidence and strategic play have made him a player to watch as the tournament progresses.
Arjun vs. Abdusattorov
Erigaisi’s straightforward win against Abdusattorov was marked by early exchanges that left him in a dominant position. He made efficient use of his advantage, securing his semifinal spot without the stress of tiebreaks and showcasing his tactical mastery that keeps him in contention for the title.
Lower Bracket Action
Carlsen faced a unique situation, unable to vie for the championship but determined to play for pride and the love of chess. Following a remarkable recovery against Gujrathi, he played with renewed vigor. Similarly, Wesley So ensured his stay in the tournament with a solid performance against Sam Sevian, further intensifying the competition for the $100,000 prize for third place.
Looking Ahead
With an exciting lineup of match-ups featuring Aronian against Erigaisi and Caruana facing Niemann, the upcoming Semifinals are sure to keep chess enthusiasts on the edge of their seats. The quest for prestige and a share of the substantial prize pool adds thrilling stakes to every game played.
Prize Fund
How to Watch
The $750,000 3rd leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada from July 16th to 20th. Participants include chess giants: Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Arjun Erigaisi, Fabiano Caruana, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Wesley So, Levon Aronian, Leinier Dominguez, and Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa. All games are played in Freestyle Chess.
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