Hikaru Nakamura has never trained with the rigor and dedication typical of the best players in history. And even less so now, when his priority is to earn a lot of money with his programs on the Internet. But he is achieving the most brilliant results of his career: today he defeated Magnus Carlsen in the tiebreaker of the 7th round of Norway Chess in Stavanger (Norway). The national idol maintains first place, but with only half a point more than the unorthodox American.
The way Nakamura approaches chess since he became a millionaire for his work as streamer (live online programs where she plays, talks and answers questions) is very curious. She spends much less time training her than the other members of the elite. Furthermore, her long-time analyst, Kris Littlejohn, is an amateur gamer (less than 2,200 Elo points), although a computer expert. And with that arsenal he managed to surprise Carlsen today in the slow game, very important as the tournament was going.
The Norwegian acknowledged after the quick draw (20 moves) that he had felt uncomfortable and disoriented in the opening. So much so that he was also surprised that Nakamura didn’t push harder and settled so quickly for a draw. Shortly before, the Japanese American had spoken at the confessional (a corner of the dressing room where players can record their feelings or comments on camera while their opponent thinks): “Unfortunately, Magnus chose the most boring variant, which was not what I expected. So my prediction is a quick draw, and we’ll see what happens in the Armageddon”.
Because in the Armageddon (ten minutes for White, forced to win, and seven for Black) something similar to what we have already seen happened: Nakamura, with White, surprised Carlsen again, and took great advantage of his inaccuracies and a serious error to gain a decisive advantage. . It is true that the Scandinavian was virtuous in defense, finding the most dangerous traps until his opponent fell into one. However, the position was still somewhat favorable for White and, above all, Carlsen was very tight on the clock… until he collapsed and lost on time.
When he left the stage he explained it this way before the microphone of the Norwegian channel TV2: “For some reason, I was not psychologically in the right mood. Armageddon. And that has led me to not be aware of the danger of the position until I am lost. It’s true that I came back later, and the position was objectively a draw. But then I remembered the discussion we had in the technical meeting about whether the increase after each play in the Armageddon It must be a second or two. I voted in favor of one, and I still believe that it is the most fair, but today I would not have lost if I had two.”
Meanwhile, the very depressed world champion, Liren Ding, made the crowd of fans who pity him dream with a victory after four consecutive defeats and a day after making a beginner’s mistake against Carlsen. The Chinese, with black, was once again facing the only rival whom he beat in the first round (in the tiebreaker), the Indian Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa. And the truth is that Ding played well until he offered a draw in a position with minimal advantage but clearly easier for him to play. Such an outcome can only be attributed to a great lack of self-confidence.
However, Ding once again played very well in the sudden death. So much so that she achieved an overwhelming, winning lead. But just at that moment she made another tremendous mistake, losing a clean piece. Ding stopped the clock, congratulated his rival, went out in search of his mother, who caressed his back as they headed to the car, where the world champion took a while to realize that he should put on his seat belt.
Important news in the women’s tournament is the victory of the Ukrainian Anna Muzychuk (resident in Valencia), in the sudden death, on the world champion, the Chinese Wenjun Ju, who places her alone in the lead with three rounds remaining. Muzychuk then emphasized “the great encouragement” that the cash prizes are equivalent in the absolute tournament and in the women’s tournament: “We have very few elite tournaments. This decision by the organizers of Norway Chess encourages us greatly. I hope the example spreads.”
He also wanted to show his solidarity with Ding: “I have never spoken to him, but it worries me a lot. He is the same player who a few years ago remained undefeated for a hundred games in a row, and who a year ago was world champion. It is very sad to see him like this.”
Results (7th round).-
In Norway Chess, every game that ends in a draw is immediately followed (less than 20 minutes) by a Armageddon, with 10 minutes for the white pieces and 7 for the black pieces; In the event of a new tie, the black player wins. Victory in the slow game gives 3 points (zero for the loser); in Armageddon, 1.5 (1 for the loser).
Absolute tournament: Nakamura – Carlsen, draw, 1-0; Caruana – Firouzja, tables tables; Praggnanandhaa – Ding, draw, 1-0.
Women’s tournament: A. Muzychuk – Ju, draw, 1-0; Koneru – Vaishali, 1-0; Cramling – Lei, tables, .
Classifications.-
Absolute tournament: 1st Carlsen 13 points; 2nd Nakamura 12.5; 3rd Praggnanandhaa 11; 4th Firouzja 9.5; 5th Caruana 7.5; 6th Ding 3.5.
Women’s tournament: 1st A. Muzychuk 12 points; 2nd Ju 11,5; 3rd Vaishali 10 points; 4th Lei 8,5; 5th Koneru 8; 6th Cramling 5.5.
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