Nakamura is the Ultimate Blitz Champion!

Photos by Lennart Ootes

As the day two began, and we looked forward to nine rounds of blitz, just about everyone had a chance to win the title. After the first day of nine rounds of blitz this is how things stood:

The playing hall

Prominent spectators included US Women's Champion Nazi Paikidze (right) and runner-up Tatev Abrahamyan

The day began with a bang when Wesley So played a brilliant game against Garry Kasparov in the tenth round. This is what the commentators and Garry had to say about the game:

• Maurice Ashley: "The day started with a thunderbolt: Wesley So playing one of the finest attacking game since Morphy!"

• Yasser Seirawan: "Wesley's game against Kasparov will go down in history as one of the greatest blitz games ever played. I will remember that game for the rest of my life."

• Garry Kasparov: "It reminded me of games Morphy played against amateurs."

Both the players saying their prayers before the game?!!

Retired or not retired, this man doesn't like to lose!

Just have a look at the board posiiton to see how dominant White's position was!

The gift for a superb win over Garry Kasparov: Lotis Key gives a kiss to adopted son Wesley So

Wesley scored another win in the next round and was a full point ahead of Nakamura

Fabiano Caruana had a completely horrid day at the event. He started with 3.5/9 and ended with 5.5/18. He scored just two points and was surely out of sorts. As an example have a look at this position:

Fabiano Caruana - Garry Kasparov, Round 12

Garry has just played his bishop to d3. Now Fabiano could have just picked up the rook on c8. Instead he went Qg3 allowing Black to pick up the c2 pawn. Here's the exciting end of the game for you to play over:

In blitz when you are not in great form and your opponents are strong, one mistake follows another.
Have a look at the endgame between Caruana and Nakamura below:

Meanwhile Wesley continued to show that his practice sessions with Aleksandr Lenderman had helped him, as he defused this highly dangerous position against Garry Kasparov:

Nakamura showed the audience why he is considered as one of the best blitz players in the world

Hikaru scored 2.5/3 against Fabiano and 2.0/3 against Wesley. It speaks a lot about Kasparov's strength as a chess player that he managed to beat Hikaru with a score of 2.0/3. Here is one of their games where Garry was able to put up a staunch defence and hold the draw.

The crucial game of the tournament in round 15 where Nakamura was able to beat So

Hikaru showed his determination to win the event as he would usually be
the first person to come to the board before the games began

Wesley So - Garry Kasparov, Round 16

In the above position Wesley agreed to a draw with Rg6+ followed by Rh6.
But there is a way he can win. Can you spot it? Hint: It is not so easy!

While Nakamura was running away with the tournament with a two-point lead after 16 rounds, Garry Kasparov handed the American his first and the only defeat of the day.

Garry's expression says it all: Nakamura had blundered!

This game opened up the tournament. Wesley was now trailing Hikaru only by one point. The two were paired against each other. But in the middlegame neither sides wanted to take a risk and hence agreed to a draw, thereby securing the first and second spot. The real excitement was going on in the game between Caruana and Kasparov.

The excitement of the final round in the hall

These two wins really made Garry happy!

When Garry was asked whether he would consider playing more such blitz events in future, he said, "Remembering my emotions last night, this morning, I don't know whether I will play in future or not. I proved that I can play against them. If I do take the challenge again I would do more serious preparation. There are so many things floating in your head at my age – I have family, lectures and writings. I do a lot of stuff on Twitter and Facebook, there are political appearances and then you have to think about the Scotch!"

The final standings

The rankings crosstable (click to enlarge)

A huge congratulations to Hikaru Nakamura for proving once again
that when it comes to blitz chess you cannot find someone better than him!

Happy to have won the Ultimate Blitz today! More importantly, it was an honor to play against the former WC @Kasparov63 who is still a boss!

— Hikaru Nakamura (@GMHikaru) April 29, 2016

Hikaru's tweet after victory

Garry's excellent gesture of supporting the US chess Olympiad team

Without Jennifer Shahade, Maurice Ashley and Yasser Seirawan this Ulimate Blitz event
would not have reached the same level of excitement as it did!

Watch the broadcast of day two

Links Official tournament site Download all games in PGN The games are being broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download a free Playchess client there and get immediate access. You can also use ChessBase 13 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs.