Chessable Masters: Lazavik beats Nakamura and Giri

by Carlos Alberto Colodro
2/2/2024 – The pairings of the knockout phase in all three divisions of the Chessable Masters were set up after an exciting day of online-chess action. Most notably, 17-year-old Denis Lazavik defeated Hikaru Nakamura and Anish Giri to reach Division I, while knocking his elite opponents down to Division II. Lazavik will face Maxime Vachier-Lagrave on Friday, while perennial favourite Magnus Carlsen will face the ever-dangerous Wesley So. | Photo: chess.com / Thomas Tischio
Winning starts with what you know
The new version 18 offers completely new possibilities for chess training and analysis: playing style analysis, search for strategic themes, access to 6 billion Lichess games, player preparation by matching Lichess games, download Chess.com games with built-in API, built-in cloud engine and much more.

Division I: Lazavik in, Naka and Giri out

Three players rated below 2700 will be among the eight quarter-finalists in Division I of the Chessable Masters. Besides Vladimir Fedoseev, who qualified by winning Division II of last year’s AI Cup, Jose Martinez and Denis Lazavik reached the top group of the event by making the most of their chances in Thursday’s ‘placement’ matches.

After winning the Play-In on his birthday, Martinez defeated Samvel Ter-Sahakyan to qualify to the Division I knockout, while Lazavik impressively got the better of Hikaru Nakamura and Anish Giri to get his spot.

At 17, Lazavik has become a well-known name in the online-chess world. Last year, the youngster even made it to the Champions Chess Tour Finals (find here instructive analysis of one of his games against Magnus Carlsen by GM Efstratios Grivas). And he has now again made a big impression in the first event of this year’s tour.

In the very first game of the day, Lazavik saw Nakamura mixing up his preparation early on, getting a massive advantage as early as on move 13.

Lazavik v. Nakamura

13...Nb3 attacks the rook while creating a discovered attack against the weak f2-square. After 14.0-0 Rxa1, Black simply emerged a rook up. Nakamura tried to complicate matters, but Lazavik safely converted his advantage into a win.

Game 2 saw Nakamura trying to get a double-edged position with black in a must-win situation. Lazavik made the most of his opponent’s risky approach and coolly grabbed a second victory to advance to round 2 of the Division I Placement phase.

Wesley So, Alireza Firouzja, Rauf Mamedov and Samvel Ter-Sahakyan also advanced to the second round in this group.

Chessable Masters 2024

In the second round, Martinez and Lazavik got the better of Ter-Sahakyan and Giri, as mentioned above. So, Firouzja and Ian Nepomniachtchi also won their 4-game matches to qualify to the Division I knockout.

The most exciting pairing in the quarter-finals is Carlsen v. So, a rematch of the 2023 final confrontation at the in-person Toronto event in December. Back then, Carlsen defeated So in a hard-fought contest.

Chessable Masters 2024

Division I pairings

Chessable Masters 2024

Keymer 0 - 1 So

Analysis by GM Karsten Müller

All games - Division I placement

New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.c3 d5 4.e5 a6 5.d4 Bg7 6.Be2 Nc6 7.0-0 f6 8.exf6 Nxf6 9.dxc5 0-0 10.Bg5 e5 11.Nbd2 Bf5 12.Re1 Kh8 13.h3 Qc7 14.Qb3 Rae8 15.Rad1 Qf7 16.Be3 Qc7 17.Qa4 e4 18.Nd4 Bd7 19.Nxc6 Bxc6 20.Qb4 Nd7 21.Nb3 Ne5 22.Na5 Qf7 23.c4 d4 24.Bxd4 e3 25.Bxe3 Nd3 26.Qd2 Nxf2 27.Rf1 Rxe3 28.Nxc6 bxc6 29.Qxe3 Nxd1 30.Rxd1 Bxb2 31.Rf1 Qg7 32.Rxf8+ Qxf8 33.Bf3 Qf6 34.Qe8+ Kg7 35.Qxc6 Qxc6 36.Bxc6 Bd4+ 37.Kf1 Bxc5 38.Ke2 Kf6 39.Kd3 Ke5 40.Bd5 g5 41.Bf3 a5 42.Kc3 a4 43.Bc6 a3 44.Bf3 h6 45.Kd3 Kf4 46.Bd5 Ke5 47.Kc3 h5 48.Bf3 h4 49.Bd5 Kd6 50.Bf3 Ke5 51.Bd5 Kd6 52.Bf3 Ke5 ½–½
  • Start an analysis engine:
  • Try maximizing the board:
  • Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
  • Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
  • Drag the split bars between window panes.
  • Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
  • Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
  • Create an account to access the games cloud.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Anton Guijarro,D2667Mamedov,R2720½–½2024Division I Placement1.1
Firouzja,A2810Yu,Y27531–02024Division I Placement1.1
Keymer,V2739So,W28440–12024Division I Placement1.1
Nakamura,H2771Lazavik,D27510–12024Division I Placement1.1
Ter-Sahakyan,S2644Svidler,P26691–02024Division I Placement1.1
Lazavik,D2759Nakamura,H27631–02024Division I Placement1.2
Mamedov,R2719Anton Guijarro,D26681–02024Division I Placement1.2
So,W2850Keymer,V2733½–½2024Division I Placement1.2
Svidler,P2660Ter-Sahakyan,S2653½–½2024Division I Placement1.2
Yu,Y2746Firouzja,A2817½–½2024Division I Placement1.2
Artemiev,V2796Firouzja,A2815½–½2024Division I Placement2.1
Giri,A2735Lazavik,D2767½–½2024Division I Placement2.1
Martinez Alcantara,J2724Ter-Sahakyan,S2653½–½2024Division I Placement2.1
Nepomniachtchi,I2832Mamedov,R27261–02024Division I Placement2.1
Sevian,S2776So,W28470–12024Division I Placement2.1
Firouzja,A2815Artemiev,V2796½–½2024Division I Placement2.2
Lazavik,D2766Giri,A2736½–½2024Division I Placement2.2
Mamedov,R2720Nepomniachtchi,I2838½–½2024Division I Placement2.2
So,W2853Sevian,S2770½–½2024Division I Placement2.2
Ter-Sahakyan,S2655Martinez Alcantara,J27220–12024Division I Placement2.2
Artemiev,V2796Firouzja,A2815½–½2024Division I Placement2.3
Giri,A2737Lazavik,D2765½–½2024Division I Placement2.3
Martinez Alcantara,J2728Ter-Sahakyan,S2649½–½2024Division I Placement2.3
Nepomniachtchi,I2835Mamedov,R27230–12024Division I Placement2.3
Sevian,S2772So,W28510–12024Division I Placement2.3
Firouzja,A2815Artemiev,V27961–02024Division I Placement2.4
Lazavik,D2764Giri,A2738½–½2024Division I Placement2.4
Mamedov,R2733Nepomniachtchi,I28250–12024Division I Placement2.4
Ter-Sahakyan,S2651Martinez Alcantara,J2726½–½2024Division I Placement2.4
Giri,A2739Lazavik,D2763½–½2024Division I Placement2.5

Division II: Favourites prevail

Most favourites advanced in this division, with Levon Aronian getting the clearest victory in the second round, as he defeated Igor Lysyj three times in a row.

Chessable Masters 2024

Chessable Masters 2024

Division II pairings

Chessable Masters 2024

Aronian 1 - 0 Lysyj

Analysis by GM Karsten Müller

AronianAronian, Levon27261–0Lysyj, Igor2589Lysyj
GMCCT Chessable Masters Place D-II 2024
Online01.02.2024[Mueller,Karsten]		GM
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.a4 d6 6.a5 a6 7.c3 Ba7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Be3 Bxe3 10.fxe3 Ne7 11.Nbd2 Ng6 12.b4 b5 13.axb6 cxb6 14.d4 Bb7 15.d5 Qc7 16.Rc1 a5 17.Bd3 Rfb8 18.h3 Bc8 19.Kh2 Bd7 20.Qe2 Qd8 21.Nc4 Be8 22.Nfd2 Rc8 23.Ra1 h6 24.Rfb1 a4 25.Rc1 Qc7 26.Na3 Qd8 27.Bb5 Ne7 28.c4 Bd7 29.Rf1 Ng6 30.Qd1 Nf8 31.Bxd7 Qxd7 32.Nb5 N8h7 33.Rxa4 Rxa4 34.Qxa4 Ng5 35.Nc3 Qxa4 36.Nxa4 Ngxe4 37.Nxe4 Nxe4 38.Rc1 Rb8 39.g4 b5 40.Nc3 Nxc3 41.Rxc3 bxc4 42.Rxc4 g6 43.Kg3 f5 44.gxf5 gxf5 45.Kf3 Kg7 46.Rc7+ Kg6 47.Rc6 Rxb4 48.Rxd6+ Kg5 49.Re6 Rh4 50.Rxe5 Rxh3+ 51.Kg2 Rh4
Aronian's Aces. Dangerous passed pawns are often very valuable in an endgame: 52.d6! Passed pawns should be pushed. Ra4 53.Rd5! The rook indeed belongs behind the passed pawn here. Ra8 54.e4 Kf4 54...Kf6 is met by 55.exf5 Rd8 56.Kf3 56.Kg3? Kg5 57.Kf3 h5= 56...Kg5 57.Ke4 Kf6 58.Ke3 h5 58...Kg5 59.Kd4 Kf6 60.Kc5+- 59.Kf4 Rd7 60.Rd1 h4 61.Rd5 Rd8 62.Kg4 Rd7 63.Kxh4+- 55.d7 Rd8 56.e5 Kg5?! 56...Ke4 is much more tenacious, but does not defend due to 57.e6 Kxd5 58.e7 Rxd7 59.e8Q Rg7+ 60.Kf3 Rg4 61.Qf7+ Ke5 62.Qe7+ Kd5 63.Qf6+- 57.Kf3 Kg6 58.Kf4 Kf7 59.Kxf5 Ke7 60.e6 h5 61.Rd4 Rh8 62.Kg6 62.Rc4 Rf8+ 63.Ke5+- 62...h4?! 62...Rd8 63.Kf5 Rh8 64.Rc4 h4 65.Rc8 Rd8 66.Rxd8 Kxd8 67.Kf6 h3 68.e7+ Kxd7 69.Kf7+- 63.d8Q+
The final combination. 63...Rxd8 64.Rxd8 64.Rxd8 Kxd8 65.Kf7 h3 66.e7+ Kc7 67.e8Q h2 68.Qe5++- 1–0

All games - Division II placement

New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 c6 2.c4 d5 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.exd5 Nf6 5.Qa4+ Nbd7 6.Nc3 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.Bc4 0-0 9.d3 a6 10.Qa3 b6 11.0-0 Bb7 12.Re1 Re8 13.Be3 b5 14.Bb3 Ng4 15.Qb4 Nxe3 16.fxe3 a5 17.Qxb5 Ba6 18.Qc6 Bxd3 19.Ba4 Ra7 20.Nb5 Bxb5 21.Qxb5 Rf8 22.Rac1 Ne5 23.Nd4 Qd6 24.Re2 Raa8 25.Qc5 Rfb8 26.Qxd6 exd6 27.Rc7 Bf6 28.b3 Bd8 29.Rcc2 Bb6 30.h3 h5 31.Kf1 Kg7 32.Nc6 Re8 33.Bb5 h4 34.a4 Kf6 35.b4 axb4 36.Nxb4 Rh8 37.Nc6 Rh5 38.e4 Kg7 39.Ke1 Rg5 40.Kd1 Rg3 41.Nxe5 dxe5 42.d6 Ra3 43.Red2 Be3 44.Rd5 Bd4 45.d7 1–0
  • Start an analysis engine:
  • Try maximizing the board:
  • Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
  • Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
  • Drag the split bars between window panes.
  • Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
  • Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
  • Create an account to access the games cloud.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Bortnyk,O2637Xiong,J26671–02024Division II Placement1.1
Kuzubov,Y2701Martirosyan,H26230–12024Division II Placement1.1
Lysyj,I2610Malakhov,V26201–02024Division II Placement1.1
Sethuraman,S2578Grischuk,A26831–02024Division II Placement1.1
Shimanov,A2628Antipov,M26560–12024Division II Placement1.1
Vokhidov,S2625Rakhmanov,A26301–02024Division II Placement1.1
Martirosyan,H2626Kuzubov,Y26980–12024Division II Placement1.2
Antipov,M2663Shimanov,A26210–12024Division II Placement1.2
Grischuk,A2673Sethuraman,S25881–02024Division II Placement1.2
Malakhov,V2612Lysyj,I2618½–½2024Division II Placement1.2
Rakhmanov,A2622Vokhidov,S26330–12024Division II Placement1.2
Xiong,J2658Bortnyk,O26461–02024Division II Placement1.2
Grischuk,A2679Sethuraman,S25821–02024Division II Placement1.3
Martirosyan,H2626Kuzubov,Y26981–02024Division II Placement1.3
Shimanov,A2630Antipov,M26541–02024Division II Placement1.3
Xiong,J2666Bortnyk,O26381–02024Division II Placement1.3
Aronian,L2726Lysyj,I26181–02024Division II Placement2.1
Bok,B2614Grischuk,A26791–02024Division II Placement2.1
Indjic,A2538Shimanov,A2630½–½2024Division II Placement2.1
Paravyan,D2653Vokhidov,S2641½–½2024Division II Placement2.1
Piorun,K2417Martirosyan,H26260–12024Division II Placement2.1
Shevchenko,K2647Xiong,J26660–12024Division II Placement2.1
Grischuk,A2670Bok,B2623½–½2024Division II Placement2.2
Lysyj,I2612Aronian,L27320–12024Division II Placement2.2
Martirosyan,H2630Piorun,K24131–02024Division II Placement2.2
Shimanov,A2628Indjic,A25401–02024Division II Placement2.2
Vokhidov,S2641Paravyan,D2653½–½2024Division II Placement2.2
Xiong,J2674Shevchenko,K26391–02024Division II Placement2.2
Aronian,L2737Lysyj,I26071–02024Division II Placement2.3
Bok,B2624Grischuk,A26690–12024Division II Placement2.3
Indjic,A2534Shimanov,A26340–12024Division II Placement2.3
Paravyan,D2653Vokhidov,S2641½–½2024Division II Placement2.3
Piorun,K2409Martirosyan,H26341–02024Division II Placement2.3
Shevchenko,K2632Xiong,J26810–12024Division II Placement2.3
Grischuk,A2676Bok,B26170–12024Division II Placement2.4
Martirosyan,H2621Piorun,K24221–02024Division II Placement2.4
Vokhidov,S2641Paravyan,D2653½–½2024Division II Placement2.4
Paravyan,D2653Vokhidov,S2641½–½2024Division II Placement2.5

Division III: Vidit eliminated

Strong players such as Daniil Dubov or Bogdan-Daniel Deac had to gain a spot in the Division III knockout, which goes to show how many elite GMs participate in these online events.

Moreover, world number 14 Vidit Gujrathi was eliminated by Amin Tabatabaei.

All games - Division III placement

New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.dxc5 Nf6 6.Nb3 Qxd1+ 7.Kxd1 Bd7 8.a4 Bc6 9.Bb5 Nbd7 10.Bxc6 bxc6 11.Nf3 Nxc5 12.Nxc5 Bxc5 13.Ke2 Ke7 14.Ne5 Rhc8 15.Rd1 Rab8 16.c3 Nd5 17.Nc4 Nb6 18.Na5 Nd5 19.Nc4 Nb6 20.Nd2 Bd6 21.g3 Bc7 22.a5 Nd5 23.Nc4 a6 24.Kd3 Rb5 25.Kc2 f6 26.b3 e5 27.Ba3+ Ke6 28.Nb2 Rbb8 29.c4 Bxa5 30.Nd3 Nb4+ 31.Bxb4 Bxb4 32.Rxa6 Bd6 33.f3 Ra8 34.Rda1 Rxa6 35.Rxa6 f5 36.c5 e4 37.cxd6 exd3+ 38.Kxd3 Kxd6 39.b4 Rb8 40.Kc4 Rb7 41.h4 g6 42.Ra8 Re7 43.Kd4 Rb7 44.Kc4 Re7 45.Kd4 Rb7 46.Kc4 ½–½
  • Start an analysis engine:
  • Try maximizing the board:
  • Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
  • Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
  • Drag the split bars between window panes.
  • Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
  • Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
  • Create an account to access the games cloud.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Alekseenko,K2602Bluebaum,M2649½–½2024Division III Placement1.1
Alekseev,E2693Dreev,A26420–12024Division III Placement1.1
Chigaev,M2619Henriquez Villagra,C2585½–½2024Division III Placement1.1
Christiansen,J2570Mishra,A26021–02024Division III Placement1.1
Daneshvar,B2588Bernadskiy,V26180–12024Division III Placement1.1
Deac,B2612Smirnov,P2595½–½2024Division III Placement1.1
Fressinet,L2634Kovalev,V2648½–½2024Division III Placement1.1
Hong,A2508Santos Latasa,J26841–02024Division III Placement1.1
Kravtsiv,M2624Demchenko,A26310–12024Division III Placement1.1
Le,T2675Dubov,D26851–02024Division III Placement1.1
Lupulescu,C2669Sargissian,G2503½–½2024Division III Placement1.1
Matlakov,M2637Guseinov,G26281–02024Division III Placement1.1
Meshkovs,N2559Ohanyan,E24880–12024Division III Placement1.1
Ponomariov,R2640Dragun,K24691–02024Division III Placement1.1
Predke,A2585Svane,R2605½–½2024Division III Placement1.1
Raja Rithvik R2395Safarli,E26670–12024Division III Placement1.1
Sarana,A2709Samant Aditya S2471½–½2024Division III Placement1.1
Saric,I2675Karthikeyan,M25190–12024Division III Placement1.1
Tabatabaei,M2707Vidit,S2646½–½2024Division III Placement1.1
Yoo,C2623Hakobyan,A2653½–½2024Division III Placement1.1
Bernadskiy,V2625Daneshvar,B25811–02024Division III Placement1.2
Bluebaum,M2648Alekseenko,K2603½–½2024Division III Placement1.2
Demchenko,A2639Kravtsiv,M26160–12024Division III Placement1.2
Dragun,K2465Ponomariov,R2644½–½2024Division III Placement1.2
Dreev,A2651Alekseev,E26840–12024Division III Placement1.2
Dubov,D2677Le,T26831–02024Division III Placement1.2
Guseinov,G2620Matlakov,M2645½–½2024Division III Placement1.2
Hakobyan,A2652Yoo,C26240–12024Division III Placement1.2
Henriquez Villagra,C2586Chigaev,M2618½–½2024Division III Placement1.2
Karthikeyan,M2530Saric,I2664½–½2024Division III Placement1.2
Kovalev,V2648Fressinet,L26341–02024Division III Placement1.2
Mishra,A2593Christiansen,J2579½–½2024Division III Placement1.2
Ohanyan,E2498Meshkovs,N2549½–½2024Division III Placement1.2
Safarli,E2670Raja Rithvik R23921–02024Division III Placement1.2
Samant Aditya S2476Sarana,A27041–02024Division III Placement1.2
Santos Latasa,J2672Hong,A25201–02024Division III Placement1.2
Sargissian,G2507Lupulescu,C2665½–½2024Division III Placement1.2
Smirnov,P2595Deac,B26120–12024Division III Placement1.2
Svane,R2605Predke,A25851–02024Division III Placement1.2
Vidit,S2647Tabatabaei,M27060–12024Division III Placement1.2
Matlakov,M2651Guseinov,G26141–02024Division III Placement1.3
Alekseenko,K2604Bluebaum,M26471–02024Division III Placement1.3
Alekseev,E2691Dreev,A2644½–½2024Division III Placement1.3
Chigaev,M2617Henriquez Villagra,C2587½–½2024Division III Placement1.3
Christiansen,J2579Mishra,A25930–12024Division III Placement1.3
Daneshvar,B2574Bernadskiy,V26321–02024Division III Placement1.3
Deac,B2620Smirnov,P2587½–½2024Division III Placement1.3
Fressinet,L2626Kovalev,V26561–02024Division III Placement1.3
Hong,A2515Santos Latasa,J26771–02024Division III Placement1.3
Kravtsiv,M2625Demchenko,A2630½–½2024Division III Placement1.3
Le,T2675Dubov,D26851–02024Division III Placement1.3
Lupulescu,C2662Sargissian,G2510½–½2024Division III Placement1.3
Meshkovs,N2548Ohanyan,E2499½–½2024Division III Placement1.3
Ponomariov,R2640Dragun,K24691–02024Division III Placement1.3
Predke,A2577Svane,R2613½–½2024Division III Placement1.3
Raja Rithvik R2389Safarli,E26730–12024Division III Placement1.3
Sarana,A2691Samant Aditya S24891–02024Division III Placement1.3
Saric,I2661Karthikeyan,M25330–12024Division III Placement1.3
Tabatabaei,M2713Vidit,S26401–02024Division III Placement1.3
Yoo,C2633Hakobyan,A2643½–½2024Division III Placement1.3
Mishra,A2601Christiansen,J25711–02024Division III Placement1.4
Bernadskiy,V2623Daneshvar,B25830–12024Division III Placement1.4
Bluebaum,M2638Alekseenko,K2613½–½2024Division III Placement1.4
Demchenko,A2630Kravtsiv,M26251–02024Division III Placement1.4
Dreev,A2645Alekseev,E26901–02024Division III Placement1.4
Dubov,D2677Le,T26831–02024Division III Placement1.4
Hakobyan,A2643Yoo,C2633½–½2024Division III Placement1.4
Henriquez Villagra,C2588Chigaev,M26161–02024Division III Placement1.4
Kovalev,V2647Fressinet,L2635½–½2024Division III Placement1.4
Ohanyan,E2500Meshkovs,N25470–12024Division III Placement1.4
Samant Aditya S2485Sarana,A26950–12024Division III Placement1.4
Santos Latasa,J2666Hong,A25261–02024Division III Placement1.4
Sargissian,G2513Lupulescu,C26591–02024Division III Placement1.4
Smirnov,P2588Deac,B26190–12024Division III Placement1.4
Svane,R2612Predke,A2578½–½2024Division III Placement1.4
Bernadskiy,V2614Daneshvar,B25920–12024Division III Placement1.5
Dubov,D2685Le,T26751–02024Division III Placement1.5
Kovalev,V2647Fressinet,L26350–12024Division III Placement1.5
Meshkovs,N2554Ohanyan,E24931–02024Division III Placement1.5
Santos Latasa,J2671Hong,A25211–02024Division III Placement1.5

In this video course, twenty-nine examples with multiple questions are presented in the interactive format, which is ideal for a range of playing strengths. Step by step you will be taken through the complex positions.

Links

Carlos Colodro is a Hispanic Philologist from Bolivia. He works as a freelance translator and writer since 2012. A lot of his work is done in chess-related texts, as the game is one of his biggest interests, along with literature and music.
We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, analysis cookies and marketing cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies. Here you can make detailed settings or revoke your consent (if necessary partially) with effect for the future. Further information can be found in our data protection declaration.