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CHENNAI: Magnus carlsen He showed a hunger for success Wednesday when he reached the final four of his own tournament while eating a salad. the World chess champion withstood a rematch of the Armenian opponent Levon Aronian to take the second vital set in his $ 220,000 Magnus Carlsen Invitational shock.
Carlsen will now face old foe Ian Nepomniachtchi in the semi-finals after Russia’s best player caused a minor shock by defeating popular American star Hikaru Nakamura 3-1. Tour leader Wesley So, who beat Carlsen at last month’s Opera Euro Rapid, shone once again when he booked his spot in the semi-finals.
Having won the first set on Tuesday, the United States Champion pushed teenage prodigy Alireza Firouzja aside. The 17-year-old’s second-round demolition of So was a classic, one of the best games seen at Meltwater Champions. Chess Tour. He then dominated Firouzja again in the third to seal his place without losing a game in the tie. The second round had been an eventful stage for all the heats.
It was the moment when Nepomniachtchi pointed out that he was in full control of his quarterfinals with Nakamura. The pair had been level overnight, but “Nepo” won the first game today and crushed their American opponent with a brutal 28-move victory in the second. Nepo said afterward that “hopefully he will get some sleep” before facing Carlsen in the semifinal. The second round was also the moment when Dutch number 1 Anish Giri took the lead in his tie against Frenchman Maxime Vachier-Lagrave.
Giri and MVL had also been matching during the night, but when Giri broke through, no one stopped him. Giri, who is in top form and should be considered a serious threat, went on to draw third and win fourth to canter.
And it was also in Round 2 that Carlsen pulled out his sandwich. But while eating a pot of salad, the champion seemed to lose concentration. “Someone needs to talk to him,” Grandmaster David Howell said. “Now is not the time to relax. You can eat after this game, Magnus!” Carlsen and Aronian tied that game, which meant the challenger needed to win the remaining two games to stay in the match. Aronian backed off hard in the third, suggesting that Carlsen’s salad didn’t have the desired effect.
As Carlsen struggled, GM Howell added, “I know we were laughing at the food and the salad he was eating, but it seems like it’s slowed him down somehow and it’s just that digestion. But he … lost a beat. “Carlsen looked lost, but Aronian missed a winning move and the tie led to the champion.
