Magnus Carlsen Is Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Winner
With two rounds to spare.
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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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