World Chess is running an "Armageddon" tournament series in which top players from different continents play against each other - the winners qualify for the finals, which will be played in September. On Monday, the "Americas" started their tournament, though not in America, but at the World Chess Club in Berlin.
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The event goes over seven days and features a double elimination knock-out tournament. The players compete in matches with two blitz games (3+2). In the event of a tie, an Armageddon game follows (five minutes for White, four for Black, Black has to win). But the losers of the matches are not automatically eliminated from the tournament but continue in an elimination group. In the end, the winner of the elimination group plays the winner of the winner's group.
The prize fund is 50,000 euros. Both finalists qualify for the final tournament, which will take place in September in Berlin.
GM Simon Williams and WGM Jovanka Houska commentate live from Berlin. Fiona Steil-Antoni talks to the players after the matches.
Simon Williams and Fiona Steil-Antoni
On the first two days, quarter-finals will be played. On Monday Wesley So (USA) played against GM Sam Shankland (USA) and IM Renato Terry (PER) faced GM Eric Hansen (CAN).
The So vs Shankland match began with a draw but then So won the second game and the match. In his post-match interview (see below) Shankland was unhappy about the chances that he missed.
In the second quarter-final Terry won against Hansen. Hansen won the first game, but Terry hit back and after winning the second game with Black he also won the Armageddon game, in which he also had Black.
On Tuesday GM Jose Martinez Alcantara (PER) will play against GM Ray Robson (USA) and GM Leinier Dominguez (USA) will face GM Andrew Tang (USA).
Interview with Wesley So
Interview with Sam Shankland
Interview with Eric Hansen
Live video of day 1
Games
