Chess.com Classic: Firouzja knocks out Duda and Keymer

by Carlos Alberto Colodro
5/14/2024 – Alireza Firouzja set up a showdown against Magnus Carlsen by winning the losers’ bracket of Division I in the Chess.com Classic. On Monday, Firouzja knocked out Jan-Krzysztof Duda and Vincent Keymer to reach the Grand Final of the online tournament. The deciding match between Firouzja and Carlsen will take place on Wednesday. | Photo: Tata Steel Chess Tournament / Lennart Ootes

ChessBase 18 - Mega package ChessBase 18 - Mega package

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.

More...

Firouzja gets a rematch with Carlsen

The same two contenders have reached the two Grand Finals of the first couple of events in this year’s Champions Chess Tour: Magnus Carlsen and Alireza Firouzja. The Chessable Masters, which took place in February, saw the exact same scenario, with Carlsen prevailing in the winners’ bracket and Firouzja reaching the deciding match from the losers’ bracket. Perennial favourite Carlsen would beat Firouzja in the Grand Final Reset to win the event.

This time around, Firouzja got the better of Jan-Krzysztof Duda and Keymer to set up the rematch. In the first game against Duda, the Polish grandmaster blundered the game away from a slightly favourable position.

Firouzja v. Duda - Game #1

29...Rc1+ simply overlooks the fact that the bishop on e3 defends the c1-square. Firouzja grabbed the rook and Duda resigned. A draw in the following game meant Firouzja advanced to the losers’ bracket final against Keymer.

Firouzja also started his match against Keymer with a victory. Keymer was thus in a must-win situation in the second encounter — the German prodigy obtained an extra pawn, but Firouzja had more than enough activity to keep the balance.

Keymer v. Firouzja - Game #2

Black’s rook is very active on d2, while White’s knight on a4 will struggle to get back into the game. Keymer over-pushed from this position and went on to suffer a second defeat in a row.

After getting a rest day, Firouzja will need to beat Carlsen twice on Wednesday to get the title in the second tournament of the 2024 Champions Chess Tour.

All games - Division I

New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Re1 Be6 10.Bf3 Nbd7 11.a4 Rc8 12.Nd2 Nb6 13.a5 Nc4 14.Nxc4 Rxc4 15.Be3 Qb8 16.Na4 Bd8 17.b3 Rc6 18.Nb6 Bxb6 19.Bxb6 Rc3 20.Re3 Rfc8 21.Rxc3 Rxc3 22.Be3 Qc7 23.Ra2 Qd7 24.Bd2 Rc6 25.c4 Bg4 26.Bxg4 Nxg4 27.f3 Nf6 28.Be3 Qc7 29.Bb6 Qb8 30.Rd2 Nd7 31.Be3 Qc7 32.Qa1 Nc5 33.Qc3 h6 34.Rd5 Nd7 35.h3 Nf6 36.Rd3 Nd7 37.Kh2 Kh7 38.Qd2 Kg8 39.Bf2 Kh7 40.Be3 Kg8 41.Kg1 Kh7 42.Kh1 Kg8 43.b4 Rxc4 44.Rxd6 Nf6 45.Bc5 Kh7 46.Qd3 Rc1+ 47.Kh2 Qc8 48.Qd2 Rc4 49.Qa2 Ne8 50.Rb6 Rc1 51.Qxf7 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
Carlsen,M2896Ivic,V26541–02024Division I1.1
Firouzja,A2829Duda,J27860–12024Division I1.1
Keymer,V2787Sarana,A27361–02024Division I1.1
Lazavik,D2778Nepomniachtchi,I28151–02024Division I1.1
Duda,J2795Firouzja,A2820½–½2024Division I1.2
Ivic,V2651Carlsen,M28990–12024Division I1.2
Nepomniachtchi,I2806Lazavik,D27871–02024Division I1.2
Sarana,A2729Keymer,V27940–12024Division I1.2
Carlsen,M2902Ivic,V2648½–½2024Division I1.3
Firouzja,A2819Duda,J2796½–½2024Division I1.3
Keymer,V2801Sarana,A2722½–½2024Division I1.3
Lazavik,D2779Nepomniachtchi,I28141–02024Division I1.3
Duda,J2797Firouzja,A28180–12024Division I1.4
Nepomniachtchi,I2805Lazavik,D2788½–½2024Division I1.4
Duda,J2789Firouzja,A28261–02024Division I1.5
Carlsen,M2897Lazavik,D27881–02024Division I2.1
Keymer,V2799Duda,J2789½–½2024Division I2.1
Duda,J2789Keymer,V27990–12024Division I2.2
Lazavik,D2782Carlsen,M2903½–½2024Division I2.2
Carlsen,M2900Lazavik,D2785½–½2024Division I2.3
Keymer,V2807Duda,J27811–02024Division I2.3
Lazavik,D2788Carlsen,M2897½–½2024Division I2.4
Carlsen,M2895Keymer,V2814½–½2024Division I3.1
Keymer,V2816Carlsen,M2893½–½2024Division I3.2
Carlsen,M2891Keymer,V2818½–½2024Division I3.3
Keymer,V2820Carlsen,M28890–12024Division I3.4
Carlsen,M2828Firouzja,A27242024Division I4.1
Firouzja,A2724Carlsen,M28282024Division I4.2
Carlsen,M2828Firouzja,A27242024Division I4.3
Firouzja,A2724Carlsen,M28282024Division I4.4
Firouzja,A2826Sarana,A27241–02024Division I51.1
Nepomniachtchi,I2805Ivic,V26531–02024Division I51.1
Ivic,V2648Nepomniachtchi,I28100–12024Division I51.2
Sarana,A2718Firouzja,A2832½–½2024Division I51.2
Firouzja,A2829Lazavik,D27901–02024Division I52.1
Nepomniachtchi,I2815Duda,J27740–12024Division I52.1
Duda,J2783Nepomniachtchi,I28060–12024Division I52.2
Lazavik,D2783Firouzja,A28360–12024Division I52.2
Duda,J2776Nepomniachtchi,I28131–02024Division I52.3
Firouzja,A2843Duda,J27761–02024Division I53.1
Duda,J2770Firouzja,A2849½–½2024Division I53.2
Firouzja,A2847Keymer,V28141–02024Division I54.1
Keymer,V2807Firouzja,A28540–12024Division I54.2

Bracket - Division I

Division II: So to face MVL in the Grand Final

The Grand Final in Division II will take place on Tuesday. Wesley So prevailed in the losers’ bracket after having lost his first-round match against José Martínez. To reach the deciding match, So obtained victories over Jorden van Foreest, Dmitrij Kollars, Andrey Esipenko, Daniil Dubov, Levon Aronian and Grigoriy Oparin. The Filipino-born grandmaster will face Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, who prevailed in the winners’ bracket.

On Monday, So obtained back-to-back victories over Oparin. Playing white in the first encounter, So found a nice tactical idea to force his opponent’s resignation.

So v. Oparin - Game #1

77.Rh7+ Kxh7 78.Ng5+ wins on the spot. Oparin resigned.

All games - Division II

New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.h3 d6 6.c3 a6 7.a4 Ba7 8.Nbd2 0-0 9.Bb3 Ne7 10.Nf1 Ng6 11.Ng3 h6 12.0-0 Re8 13.Re1 Be6 14.d4 Bxb3 15.Qxb3 Qd7 16.Be3 exd4 17.Bxd4 Ne5 18.Nxe5 dxe5 19.Bxa7 Rxa7 20.Qc4 g6 21.Rad1 Qe7 22.Nf1 Raa8 23.Nd2 a5 24.Qb5 b6 25.Qc6 Qe6 26.Qxe6 Rxe6 27.Nc4 Kf8 28.Ne3 Ree8 29.f3 Ke7 30.Kf2 Red8 31.Ke2 Ke6 32.h4 Nh5 33.Nd5 Nf4+ 34.Nxf4+ exf4 35.Rd4 c5 36.Rxd8 Rxd8 37.b3 f6 38.Rb1 h5 39.b4 cxb4 40.cxb4 Rd4 41.bxa5 bxa5 42.Rb6+ Kf7 43.Rb7+ Kf8 44.Rb6 Kg7 45.Rb7+ Kg8 46.Rb6 Kf7 47.Rb7+ Kf8 48.Rb6 Kf7 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
Aronian,L2730Vidit,S2652½–½2024Division II1.1
Bluebaum,M2656Dubov,D26810–12024Division II1.1
Caruana,F2770Hakobyan,A2657½–½2024Division II1.1
Esipenko,A2728Rakhmanov,A26510–12024Division II1.1
Kollars,D2632Dominguez Perez,L26631–02024Division II1.1
Sevian,S2759Oparin,G26471–02024Division II1.1
So,W2846Martinez Alcantara,J27351–02024Division II1.1
Vachier-Lagrave,M2869Van Foreest,J26691–02024Division II1.1
Dominguez Perez,L2654Kollars,D26411–02024Division II1.2
Dubov,D2688Bluebaum,M26491–02024Division II1.2
Hakobyan,A2659Caruana,F2768½–½2024Division II1.2
Martinez Alcantara,J2729So,W28521–02024Division II1.2
Oparin,G2641Sevian,S27651–02024Division II1.2
Rakhmanov,A2661Esipenko,A2718½–½2024Division II1.2
Van Foreest,J2665Vachier-Lagrave,M28731–02024Division II1.2
Vidit,S2654Aronian,L27280–12024Division II1.2
Caruana,F2764Hakobyan,A2663½–½2024Division II1.3
Aronian,L2734Vidit,S26481–02024Division II1.3
Bluebaum,M2642Dubov,D2695½–½2024Division II1.3
Esipenko,A2717Rakhmanov,A26621–02024Division II1.3
Kollars,D2633Dominguez Perez,L2662½–½2024Division II1.3
Sevian,S2754Oparin,G26520–12024Division II1.3
So,W2841Martinez Alcantara,J2740½–½2024Division II1.3
Vachier-Lagrave,M2861Van Foreest,J2677½–½2024Division II1.3
Dominguez Perez,L2661Kollars,D2634½–½2024Division II1.4
Hakobyan,A2663Caruana,F27641–02024Division II1.4
Martinez Alcantara,J2742So,W28391–02024Division II1.4
Oparin,G2662Sevian,S27440–12024Division II1.4
Rakhmanov,A2655Esipenko,A27240–12024Division II1.4
Van Foreest,J2681Vachier-Lagrave,M2857½–½2024Division II1.4
Dominguez Perez,L2660Kollars,D26350–12024Division II1.5
Oparin,G2656Sevian,S27501–02024Division II1.5
Vachier-Lagrave,M2853Van Foreest,J26851–02024Division II1.5
Aronian,L2740Kollars,D26351–02024Division II2.1
Dubov,D2694Hakobyan,A2673½–½2024Division II2.1
Esipenko,A2730Oparin,G26560–12024Division II2.1
Vachier-Lagrave,M2853Martinez Alcantara,J27521–02024Division II2.1
Hakobyan,A2673Dubov,D26940–12024Division II2.2
Kollars,D2629Aronian,L27460–12024Division II2.2
Martinez Alcantara,J2746Vachier-Lagrave,M2859½–½2024Division II2.2
Oparin,G2666Esipenko,A27200–12024Division II2.2
Aronian,L2751Kollars,D2624½–½2024Division II2.3
Dubov,D2702Hakobyan,A2665½–½2024Division II2.3
Esipenko,A2727Oparin,G2659½–½2024Division II2.3
Vachier-Lagrave,M2857Martinez Alcantara,J2748½–½2024Division II2.3
Hakobyan,A2666Dubov,D27010–12024Division II2.4
Martinez Alcantara,J2750Vachier-Lagrave,M2855½–½2024Division II2.4
Oparin,G2661Esipenko,A2725½–½2024Division II2.4
Oparin,G2662Esipenko,A27241–02024Division II2.5
Aronian,L2748Oparin,G26621–02024Division II3.1
Vachier-Lagrave,M2853Dubov,D27081–02024Division II3.1
Dubov,D2703Vachier-Lagrave,M2858½–½2024Division II3.2
Oparin,G2656Aronian,L27541–02024Division II3.2
Aronian,L2744Oparin,G26660–12024Division II3.3
Vachier-Lagrave,M2855Dubov,D2706½–½2024Division II3.3
Dubov,D2709Vachier-Lagrave,M28521–02024Division II3.4
Oparin,G2676Aronian,L2734½–½2024Division II3.4
Dubov,D2720Vachier-Lagrave,M2841½–½2024Division II3.5
Vachier-Lagrave,M2841Oparin,G2677½–½2024Division II4.1
Oparin,G2680Vachier-Lagrave,M28380–12024Division II4.2
Vachier-Lagrave,M2843Oparin,G26751–02024Division II4.3
So,W2722Vachier-Lagrave,M27472024Division II5.1
Caruana,F2754Bluebaum,M26431–02024Division II51.1
Dominguez Perez,L2660Vidit,S2642½–½2024Division II51.1
Sevian,S2750Rakhmanov,A26491–02024Division II51.1
So,W2829Van Foreest,J2685½–½2024Division II51.1
Bluebaum,M2637Caruana,F27601–02024Division II51.2
Rakhmanov,A2643Sevian,S27560–12024Division II51.2
Van Foreest,J2688So,W28260–12024Division II51.2
Vidit,S2642Dominguez Perez,L26601–02024Division II51.2
Bluebaum,M2648Caruana,F27490–12024Division II51.3
Caruana,F2749Esipenko,A2724½–½2024Division II52.1
Martinez Alcantara,J2752Vidit,S26500–12024Division II52.1
Sevian,S2762Hakobyan,A26591–02024Division II52.1
So,W2831Kollars,D2627½–½2024Division II52.1
Esipenko,A2725Caruana,F2748½–½2024Division II52.2
Hakobyan,A2653Sevian,S27680–12024Division II52.2
Kollars,D2631So,W2827½–½2024Division II52.2
Vidit,S2660Martinez Alcantara,J27421–02024Division II52.2
Caruana,F2747Esipenko,A27260–12024Division II52.3
Kollars,D2635So,W2823½–½2024Division II52.3
Sevian,S2773Vidit,S2670½–½2024Division II53.1
So,W2823Esipenko,A27261–02024Division II53.1
Esipenko,A2720So,W2829½–½2024Division II53.2
Vidit,S2672Sevian,S27711–02024Division II53.2
Aronian,L2733Vidit,S2682½–½2024Division II54.1
So,W2827Dubov,D27201–02024Division II54.1
Dubov,D2714So,W28330–12024Division II54.2
Vidit,S2683Aronian,L27320–12024Division II54.2
Aronian,L2739So,W2838½–½2024Division II55.1
So,W2836Aronian,L2741½–½2024Division II55.2
So,W2834Aronian,L27431–02024Division II55.3
So,W2834Oparin,G26711–02024Division II56.1
Oparin,G2666So,W28390–12024Division II56.2

Bracket - Division II

Division III

Dmitry Andreikin and Nils Grandelius reached the Grand Final in Division III, with Grandelius getting there by winning the losers’ bracket. Andreikin defeated Grandelius in the winners’ bracket final of this division.

Replay all the games of the division on Live.ChessBase.com.

Bracket - Division III

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.