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Las Vegas Grand Slam of Freestyle Chess: Aronian Shockingly Defeats Carlsen in Tiebreaks; Nakamura Crushes Competition with 6 Wins Out of 7.

Drama Unfolds at the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam: Aronian Defeats Carlsen in Thrilling Tiebreak

The Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in Las Vegas has captivated chess enthusiasts with a sensational start. On Wednesday, GM Levon Aronian delivered a masterclass performance, defeating the reigning champion GM Magnus Carlsen 2-0 in a nail-biting tiebreak. This victory not only showcased Aronian’s elite skills but it also heightened the stakes in the quest for the $200,000 first prize.

Joining Aronian in the quarterfinals are fellow group A qualifiers GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and GM Javokhir Sindarov, along with group B qualifiers GM Hikaru Nakamura, GM Hans Niemann, GM Arjun Erigaisi, and GM Fabiano Caruana. Notably, Nakamura led with an impressive 6/7, solidifying his status as a formidable contender.

The quarterfinals are set to begin on Thursday, July 17, at 2 p.m. ET / 20:00 CEST / 11:30 p.m. IST.


A Stunning Start at the Wynn Resort

The Freestyle Chess Grand Slam has launched amid much excitement at the luxurious Wynn Resort on the famed Las Vegas Strip, with a total prize pool of $750,000. The event is part of the larger Chesstival, promising a thrilling experience for spectators and players alike.

Group A Standings

Prominent players such as Carlsen, Nakamura, Niemann, Caruana, and Praggnanandhaa are all vying for the top honors. This year, a notable shift occurred in the tournament format, moving away from classical rapid time controls, which added an intriguing twist to traditional chess strategies.

A tense atmosphere surrounded the technical meeting before the tournament as participants engaged in a heated discussion regarding regulations, particularly concerning spectator policies. Caruana raised concerns about allowing phones in the playing area without any delays to the live stream, and Niemann labeled the situation "a circus."

Things escalated when Carlsen, championing the spectators, walked out of the meeting, voicing his frustration over imposed restrictions. He emphasized the importance of delivering a live experience for fans who traveled long distances to witness the event.


Group A – Aronian’s Triumph Over Carlsen

Group A’s matchups were packed with intensity and unexpected turns. The standout performance came from Javokhir Sindarov, who, despite being the only unbeaten player, only secured two wins due to some surprising losses, including one to Aronian, who faltered by leaving a rook unguarded.

Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu showcased remarkable consistency with three consecutive wins, including a pivotal victory against Carlsen, which established him as a top contender in the group.

The rounds were rife with drama, notably Carlsen’s blunder against GM Wesley So, leading to a sudden checkmate in four moves when he had what seemed like a favorable position. Nevertheless, he battled back with 1.5/2 in his final games, barely scraping into fourth place.

The tiebreaker against Aronian was described by viewers as “absolute theater.” While the final score of 2-0 may suggest a one-sided affair, the games themselves were tense and could have swung either way.

Aronian vs. Carlsen


Group B – Nakamura sets the Pace

Group B saw GM Hans Niemann make a thunderous entry, demolishing GM Arjun Erigaisi in just 20 moves. His impressive start faltered slightly as he faced defeats against Nakamura and Caruana towards the end of the day.

Despite the competition, both Nakamura and Caruana managed to stay unbeaten throughout the group stage. Nakamura’s five wins and two draws allowed him to outscore the nearest competitors by a significant margin, solidifying his role as a top contender heading into the quarterfinals.

Nakamura's Performance


What’s Next?

As the quarterfinals loom, anticipation in the chess community is palpable. The format allows the top players to choose their opponents, adding another layer of strategy to the semifinals.

With the unpredictability of freestyle chess at the forefront, fans and players alike are on the edge of their seats, eager to witness who will emerge victorious in this high-stakes encounter in Las Vegas. The choices made by Praggnanandhaa and Nakamura regarding their opponents may very well set the tone for the remainder of the tournament.

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