Magnus Carlsen Is Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Winner

With two rounds to spare.

The seventh round of the 2021 Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Finals was played on the 2nd of October. In every round, players play a match against their opponent. Each match consists of 4 rapid games. In case the result after these games is 2-2, a 2-game blitz tie-break will be played, followed by an Armageddon game in case of 1-1. Players earn 3 points for a match win in the rapid games (the loser earns 0 points). A match win after tie-breaks earns the winner 2 points (1 point for the loser).

Despite the loss from Teimor Radjabov (1-3), Magnus Carlsen has become the Tour winner with two rounds to go. His pursuer Wesley So also lost to Levon Aronian (0.5-2.5) and won't be able to catch up with the world champion.

Jan-Krzysztof Duda defeated Vladislav Artemiev (2.5-1.5), whilst Shakhriyar Mamedyarov bested Anish Giri (2.5-0.5). The longest encounter was the Vachier-Lagrave vs Nakamura match. They didn't determine the winner in rapid and exchanged blows in blitz. However, the American won the Armageddon game as White. 

Standings after Round 7:

1. Magnus Carlsen - 28.5 points
2. Wesley So - 21.5
3. Teimour Radjabov - 21
4. Levon Aronian - 18
5. Hikaru Nakamura - 16
6-7. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Vladislav Artemiev - 13.5
8. Anish Giri - 11.5
9. Jan-Krzysztof Duda - 11
10. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov - 9.5

Round 8 pairings:

So - Duda
Aronian - Carlsen
Radjabov - Mamedyarov
Giri - Vachier-Lagrave
Nakamura - Artemiev

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