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Chess World Cup final: Tie-breaker to decide the champion as Praggnanandhaa and Carlsen draw the 2nd game

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Sushim Mukul
Sushim MukulAug 24, 2023 | 10:26

Chess World Cup final: Tie-breaker to decide the champion as Praggnanandhaa and Carlsen draw the 2nd game

Aynur Sofiyeva, Azerbaijan's first Woman Grandmaster and Deputy Chair of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs, made the ceremonial first move in the game between Magnus Carlsen and Praggnanandhaa. Photo: FIDE/Stev Bonhage

Magnus Carlsen and R Praggnanandhaa found themselves locked in a tense Classical second game yesterday (August 23), that ended in a draw again at the FIDE World Cup 2023 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

With two Classical format games behind them, it is apparent that a tie-breaker would be the ultimate decider of the final contest.

The shortest game yet

  • The second game played under classical time control after the first ended in a draw on Wednesday (August 22), turned out to be the shortest for both Carlsen and Praggnanandhaa throughout the entire competition.
  • World number 1 Carlsen's opening moves with white led to all four knights marching into action within the first three moves, making it clear that the game was headed for an early finish.
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  • By the time both had completed the mandatory 30 moves before a draw offer could be made, each had a bishop and six pawns.
  • Uncharacteristically, Carlsen, known for his aggressive play, decided to settle for a quick draw.
  • The early finish, with both players having more than an hour on the clock, might have allowed them to regroup and return on Thursday.

Tie-breakers await

  • With both the Classical games failing to name a winner, the stage is now set for the tie-breakers.
  • The next rounds will involve rapid-format games with time controls of 25 minutes each, plus a 10-second increment per move.
  • If this doesn't yield a result, they will move to 10-minute games, still with a 10-second increment per move.
  • And if the still deadlock persists, the battle will descend into blitz mode, where a single game with a 3-minute time control and a 2-second increment per move will decide it all.
  • This format will repeat until a clear winner emerges.

Wellness woes

  • Carlsen who had been recovering from an upset stomach since the semis, said, "I still didn't feel like I had the energy for a full fight, so I thought, let's get one more day of rest."
  • Pragg acknowledged the decision related to Carlsen's health, stating, "Mainly, it was due to his bad health because it is very rare to see Magnus playing for a draw with white pieces."
  • Praggnanandhaa himself was feeling exhausted, having already played numerous tie-break games in the tournament. He commented, "Now I can give everything for tomorrow (Thursday) and relax after that."
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  • Pragg who had been playing knock-outs every day now, also flagged the need for a rest day before the finals, urging organisers to look into it in the future.
  • Praggnanandhaa, showing respect for the seasoned Norwegian, acknowledged that Carlsen's reputation remains intact, saying, "Magnus is the favourite in any format, even in bullet (1-minute game). Anything can happen, so I'll give my best and see."
  • Carlsen, on the other hand, while feeling a bit better than the previous day, admitted that he still lacked the energy for a full-fledged battle. He opted for the draw to conserve his strength for the tie-breakers, hoping to recover fully by Thursday (August 24). "If I have the energy, if I have a good day, obviously, I will have a good chance," he added.

Pragg, who reached the final by defeating world no 2 and 3 in time-bound deciders will look to carry his streak for the title.

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Last updated: August 24, 2023 | 11:50
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