Superbet Blitz 2024 R1-9: Praggnanandhaa outplays Carlsen as the latter struggles to catch Wei Yi
R Praggnanandhaa started his Blitz day with a win over Jan-Krzysztof Duda (POL). In the second round, he defeated Magnus Carlsen (NOR) for the first time in a rated game at Grand Chess Tour Superbet Blitz 2024. The teenager outplayed the world no.1 in the endgame, which is the Norwegian's forte. However, the euphoria probably got the better of him as Praggnanandhaa went on to lose the next two games. He is now at 14.5/27. Wei Yi (CHN) started his day with a loss against D Gukesh. He won the next two games before saving a lost endgame against Carlsen. Then the Chinese had another five-game winning streak to extend his lead by 2.5 points. He is now at 20.5/27, followed by Carlsen 18/27, Praggnanandhaa 14.5/27 and Arjun Erigaisi 14/27. Blitz Round 10 starts today from 1 p.m. local time, 4:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Wei Yi stretches his lead by 2.5 points
Magnus Carlsen has the daunting task to catch up with Wey Yi on the final day of Grand Chess Tour Superbet Rapid and Blitz 2024. He needs to cover the gap of 2.5 points in nine games. It is not impossible but certainly surmountable.
Round 1: Wei - Gukesh: 0-1
D Gukesh (2649) had a tough third day in the Rapid. One of the losses was against Wei Yi (CHN, 2758). However, Gukesh is tough. He bounced back by defeating him. It was his only loss of the day and second in the event. Wei went on to have another five-game win streak.
41.g4? allowed Black to gain the upperhand Ra4 42.h5 Rxg4 43.hxg6 Kxg6 and Black won the game. White needed to play 41.Ne4 to continue the fight.
Duda - Praggnanandhaa
White has just captured a pawn on d6 and threatens to capture another either on c5 or e5. Praggnanandhaa launched an attack 28...g5 29.Bh3?? gxh4-+ things fell apart in a hurry for White and Black won the game.
Round 2: Gukesh - Arjun: 0-1
Arjun Erigaisi defeated D Gukesh after the latter made an incorrect decision in the endgame.
Praggnanandhaa - Carlsen
The endgame expert, Magnus Carlsen (NOR, 2828) made an inaccuracy 42...Ke8? R Praggnanandhaa (2704) seized his opportunity 43.Qg8+ Ke7 44.Nxc4 Bb5 45.d6+ Kd7 46.Nxb6+ Kxd6 47.Qd5+ Kc7 48.Qxb5 Qxb6 49.Qxf5 and White won the game in another 20 moves with precise play.
Round 3: Carlsen - Abdusattorov: 0-1
Magnus Carlsen suffered his second consecutive loss as he made a one move blunder in a completely winning position against Nodirbek Abdusattorov.
This painful yet beautifully shot clip should give you an inkling of Magnus Carlsen's agonizing pain he suffered losing a won game.
Arjun Erigaisi seized his opportunity when Kirill Shevchenko (ROU) blundered.
Praggnanandhaa - Arjun, Round 4
Praggnanandhaa's ambitious approach 21.h4? did not work out Rh8 22.Bf6 Bxf6 23.Rxf6 Ng6 24.Raf1 Qxh7 and Black won the game in the next few moves as White did not have enough compensation for the sacrificed piece.
Gukesh - Shevchenko
Gukesh missed a mate in five and landed himself in a mating combination against Kirill Shevchenko. Find out what White missed in the game.
Wei - Carlsen
It is not every day you see Magnus Carlsen struggling to convert the above position into a full point. After suffering two losses, Carlsen was on the verge of a comeback against Wei Yi. However, it was not meant to be.
Round 5: Duda - Gukesh: 0-1
Jan-Krzysztof Duda (POL, 2748) all out attack on the kingside did not work out against D Gukesh (2649).
Arjun Erigaisi defeated Nodirbek Abdusattorov as he blundered his rook in an already minus endgame.
R Praggnanandhaa won a complex double rook and knight vs queen endgame against Kirill Shevchenko.
Round 15: Gukesh - Praggnanandhaa: 0-1
Praggnanandhaa avenged his loss in the Rapid event against Gukesh.
Round 17: Duda - Arjun: 0-1
Arjun Erigaisi showcased his outstanding endgame skills to win against Jan-Krzysztof Duda.
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Schedule and Format
Superbet Rapid and Blitz will have three rounds per day in the Rapid portion from 8th to 10 May. The Blitz event will take place on 11th and 12th May. It will be a double round-robin event for the Blitz which means nine rounds will be played on each day. Round 1 starts at 1 p.m. local time, 4:30 p.m. IST. It will be a 10-player Round Robin event. Time control for Rapid will be 25 minutes + 10 seconds increment.
Prize
The total prize fund for each of the Rapid and Blitz event is US$ 175000.
Replay Blitz Round 1-9 games
Standings after Blitz Round 9
