Carlsen is poised to win Aimchess US Rapid

by Shahid Ahmed - 05/09/2021

Carlsen found the first set to be reasonably comfortable after Artemiev lost it by 1.5-2.5 in the Finals of Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Aimchess US Rapid. The world champion felt that, had he not made a mistake in the third game, there would not have been a fourth. The Norwegian is definitely aiming for his third triumph of this season, which will tie with So for a maximum number of event wins before the Finals later this month. Aronian was awarded the third place without even playing a single game, as his opponent Firouzja was unable to play due to ill health. Will Artemiev be able to bounce back, or will Carlsen etch another victory to his name? Second set of the Finals start today at 8:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE

Can Artemiev bounce back?

The world champion started the day with a victory for the seventh time out of eight days. The only time he started his day with a draw was against Aronian in the first set of the Semifinals.

Carlsen is on the verge of winning Aimchess US Rapid | Photo: FIDE

Artemiev - Carlsen: 1.5-2.5

Carlsen sacrificed two pawns to launch an attack on Artemiev's already exposed king.

Artemiev - Carlsen, Game 1

Position after 28...h3

28...h3 was done to move the bishop from the important a8-h1 diagonal and put it into the defense of the g4-pawn. 29.Bxh3 Qg5 30.Qe2 Rac8 and now White blundered 31.Rac1

Position after 31.Rac1

Find out why, 31.Rac1 is a blunder. Carlsen gained a 0-1 lead.

The second game was absolutely a wild one.

Carlsen - Artemiev, Game 2

Position after 17...Kd8

Since there are no bishops on the board, despite the position being open, no king is in grave danger. Queens and rook got exchanged soon and eventually Artemiev blundered.

Position after 28...g6

29.Nd6 drops the c3-knight for Black which caused him to resign. Carlsen gained a 0-2 lead.

Artemiev, being in a must-win situation, played aggressively in the third game and managed to beat Carlsen. The score turned 1-2.

Artemiev - Carlsen, Game 3

Position after 16.Ne6

White's intention behind 16.Ne6 is to destroy the pawn structure on the kingside but Black has a very nice 16...Qd7. Now knight cannot take the rook at f8 because Qh3 will make things over for White.

Position after 25...Qe5

Black dropped the a6-pawn without any compensation, 25...Qe5. The a-pawn eventually became a deciding factor in White scoring a much needed win to continue the first set.

The fourth game ended in a draw, which means Carlsen won the first set 1.5-2.5