FTX Crypto Cup Finals: Carlsen and So trade blows

by Carlos Alberto Colodro
5/31/2021 – Wesley So and Magnus Carlsen traded blows in the first set of the FTX Crypto Cup Finals which will be decided in Monday’s second mini-match — and potential blitz tiebreaker. A draw was also seen in the match for third place, except that Teimour Radjabov and Ian Nepomniachtchi decided to give themselves a rest day, as they signed four quick draws on Sunday. | Photo: Nick Barton

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Four quick draws in match for third place

It was a curious day of action, as the finals and match for third place of the FTX Crypto Cup kicked off on Sunday. In the first set of the championship match, a rather symmetrical sequence saw Magnus Carlsen and Wesley So playing the exact same moves to sign draws in games 2 and 4 (when Carlsen was white) and trading blows in games 1 and 3 (when they played the same opening variation up to move 10) to go into day 2 with the score tied.

Meanwhile, besides symmetrical, the match between Teimour Radjabov and Ian Nepomniachtchi was rather disappointing. None of the four games lasted more than 15 moves, with the players also repeating the same sequence of moves in games 1 and 3. Jorden van Foreest tweeted:

Perhaps some extraordinary event — similar to the swarm of mosquitoes that invaded Nepo’s home on Saturday — led to the players agreeing to have a quick day at the office. And, nonetheless, as Peter Leko noted, even if the players repeat the same formula in the second set, “there will be blood” either in blitz or Armageddon. 

So, it is all to be decided on Monday. After losing twice in this stage previously, will Carlsen finally manage to take down So in a final of the Champions Chess Tour? 

FTX Crypto Cup 2021

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Carlsen 2 - 2 So

The world champion inflicted So’s first loss of the event to get ahead on the scoreboard from the get go. The American grandmaster’s 29-game unbeaten streak came to an end after he underestimated Carlsen’s attacking chances on move 27.

 
So vs. Carlsen - Game 1

27.Qc5 was overly optimistic, as Black quickly created an attack on the kingside. There followed 27...Rbf7 and Carlsen went on to win in style. Karsten Müller analysed the Norwegian’s victory.

 
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1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.e5 d5 7.Bb5 Ne4 8.cxd4 Bb6 9.Nc3 0-0 10.Be3 Bg4 11.Qc2 Bf5 12.Qb3 Ne7 13.0-0 c6 14.Be2 Rb8 15.Na4 Bc7 16.Nh4 f6 17.Bf3 b5 18.Nc3 Nxc3 19.exf6 Be4 20.bxc3 Qd6 21.g3 Bxf3 22.Bf4 Qxf6 23.Bxc7 Rb7 24.Be5 Qf7 25.Nxf3 Qxf3 26.Qb4 Nf5 "White's knightmare" - Queen and knight often form a strong attacking duo: 27.Qc5? This is too optimistic. 27.Qb2 was called for, when Black is only symbolically better. 27...Rbf7 28.Rae1 28.Qxc6 is refuted by Ne3 29.fxe3 Qxe3+ 30.Kg2 Qe2+ 31.Kh3 Rxf1 32.Qxd5+ R1f7-+ 28...h5 The next attacker enters the scene in typical fashion. 29.h3 29.Qxc6 h4 30.gxh4 Nxh4-+ 29...h4 30.Qxc6 30.g4 Ng3 31.Qxf8+ Rxf8 32.fxg3 Qxc3-+ 30...Nxg3‼ The final blow. 31.Bxg3 31.fxg3 Qxf1+ 32.Rxf1 Rxf1+ 33.Kg2 R8f2# 31...hxg3 32.Re8 32.fxg3 Qxf1+ 33.Rxf1 Rxf1+ 34.Kg2 R8f2# 32...g2 33.Rxf8+ Rxf8 0–1
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
So,W2741Carlsen,M28810–12021C54FTX Crypto Cup KO 20213.1

In game 3, it was Carlsen who misjudged the evaluation of the position, allowing his opponent to decisively damage his structure on the kingside.

 
So vs. Carlsen - Game 3

Black cannot avoid getting ‘triplets’ on the g-file after 18...Ng5 19.Bxg6 hxg6 20.Bxg5 fxg5

 

After 21.Qd3, So began to exploit his rival’s weaknesses and needed only ten moves to level the score.

It was slightly surprising to see Carlsen allowing a quick draw with white in game 4, but he later revealed that he had felt ill all along.

 
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1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.e5 d5 7.Bb5 Ne4 8.cxd4 Bb6 9.Nc3 0-0 10.Be3 Bg4 11.Qc2 Bf5 12.Qb3 Ne7 13.0-0 c6 14.Be2 Rb8 15.Na4 Bc7 16.Nh4 f6 17.Bf3 b5 18.Nc3 Nxc3 19.exf6 Be4 20.bxc3 Qd6 21.g3 Bxf3 22.Bf4 Qxf6 23.Bxc7 Rb7 24.Be5 Qf7 25.Nxf3 Qxf3 26.Qb4 Nf5 27.Qc5 Rbf7 28.Rae1 h5 29.h3 h4 30.Qxc6 Nxg3 31.Bxg3 hxg3 32.Re8 g2 33.Rxf8+ Rxf8 0–1
  • 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
So,W2770Carlsen,M28470–12021C53FTX Crypto Cup KO 20211.1
Carlsen,M2847So,W2770½–½2021C67FTX Crypto Cup KO 20211.2
So,W2770Carlsen,M28471–02021C53FTX Crypto Cup KO 20211.3
Carlsen,M2847So,W2770½–½2021C67FTX Crypto Cup KO 20211.4

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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.

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