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Apart from a quick draw by perpetual check in the second game, So and Nepo went deep into the endgame in all the remaining encounters. As our readers know, this means our in-house expert Karsten Müller had plenty of material to share some instructive analyses.
In the first game So found an optimal setup to defend against Nepo’s far advanced passed pawn. Karsten Müller explains that two rooks can be extremely dangerous for the opponent’s king in the endgame.
In the third game Nepo lost a knight in an unfortunate way, which meant he gave away what seemed to be a sure victory. At least it was still enough for a draw. Karsten Müller analysed the endgame.
In the fourth game, Nepo again lost a piece. This time it was not a knight but a bishop. And it was no longer possible to save the game.
Chess Endgames 9 - Rook and Minor Piece
Endings with rook and minor piece against rook and minor piece occur very frequently, even more often than rook endings, yet there's not much literature on them. This endgame DVD fills this gap. The four different material constellations rook and knight vs rook and knight, rooks and opposite coloured (and same coloured ) bishops and rook and bishop vs rook and knight are dealt with. In view of the different material constellations Karsten Mueller explains many guidelines like e.g. "With knights even a small initiative weighs heavily".
Wesley So breaks the drawing streak and beats Nepomniachtchi in game 4, which means the American has taken the lead 2,5-1,5 going into day 2 of the #FTXCryptoCup semifinal! #ChessChamps https://t.co/ivDaDJjhMB pic.twitter.com/iF48LaG4GV
— Champions Chess Tour (@ChampChessTour) May 28, 2021
A little later, we found out that Nepo had been struggling with a handicap during this game: a swarm of mosquitoes attacked him while he was sitting in front of the screen, giving him a hard time. The characteristic sounds produced by these insects could be heard all over the world via the microphone on Nepo’s computer...
In the third game, which Carlsen won, it was shown once again that in chess small factors can make a big difference in the end.
But this victory was not enough to secure victory in the first set for Carlsen. The world champion suffered a setback in the fourth game of the day.
Carlsen resigns! Great achievement by Radjabov who struck back to level the match on day 1 of the #FTXCryptoCup semifinal. 2-2! #ChessChamps https://t.co/qvCVgXhyNA pic.twitter.com/I1vA9JPSmX
— Champions Chess Tour (@ChampChessTour) May 28, 2021
