The FTX Crypto Cup is now not a two-horse race as each GMs Magnus Carlsen and Praggnanandhaa R. misplaced their matches in spherical 5. Whereas Pragg went down in three video games vs. GM Le Quang Liem, Carlsen took the only lead as he acquired one level for dropping to GM Jan-Krzysztof Duda within the tiebreak.

Duda-Carlsen 4-2

Alongside three matches that solely lasted three video games, Carlsen and Duda performed a most spectacular mini-match that noticed six decisive video games and never a single draw. The Polish GM, who famously stopped Carlsen’s 125-game unbeaten streak in 2020 after which beat the Norwegian within the 2021 World Cup, as soon as once more proved to be a troublesome opponent for the world champion.

In truth, Duda might have sealed this match in three video games as nicely, after profitable the primary two and getting a near profitable place within the third. Carlsen, who had suffered a number of tactical oversights by that time, managed to swindle his method again into the sport and the match.

“It was an terrible sport however it was the end result I wanted,” mentioned Carlsen.

During that third sport, after Black’s thirty sixth transfer, the web collapsed within the enjoying corridor because of an influence outage within the space. This led to a surreal state of affairs, which lasted about 10 minutes, the place the gamers could not proceed their video games if solely somebody introduced them some picket chess units. Although it occurred in his pondering time, Duda blundered shorty after the web was again, after which additionally misplaced the fourth sport.

It appeared Carlsen had the momentum right here, however because it turned out, Duda used the five-minute break nicely. He arrived early within the enjoying corridor, acquired himself collectively, performed good chess and defeated the world champion in each blitz video games.

Carlsen was extremely crucial of his play, however gave his solutions with a smile on his face: “This was so pathetically poor that it is onerous to search out phrases for. I simply could not suppose. Just a horribly day of chess.”

Here’s the primary blitz sport, the place Duda received from a misplaced place:

Le-Praggnanandhaa 2.5-0.5

On what was “a really tense day” in accordance with the Vietnamese grandmaster, Le beat Praggnanandhaa twice after drawing the primary sport. He felt the second sport was the crucial one: “I used to be worse within the opening and he was enjoying very quick, placing numerous stress. Then in some unspecified time in the future I believe he over-pushed with this 35.g4+. Probably he ought to take a draw there.”

As it turned out, the true mistake got here later:

Firouzja-Niemann 2.5-0.5

GM Hans Niemann‘s struggling continued as he misplaced to GM Alireza Firouzja in dramatic vogue. As a end result, Firouzja is now solely a degree behind Praggnanandhaa and solely two factors behind Carlsen within the standings.

After a draw and a win for Firouzja, Niemann acquired a totally profitable place in sport three however then blundered his queen. “It’s very unusual as a result of usually he would not do that. I suppose it is my luck right now,” mentioned Firouzja.

Giri-Aronian 2.5-0.5

“I simply acquired fortunate right now, he was not at his finest,” mentioned GM Anish Giri after beating GM Levon Aronian twice, with one draw within the first sport. He was principally referring to sport two, the place Aronian’s loss was self-inflicted:

Luck appeared to be the theme of the day. Giri elaborated with an attention-grabbing perspective on high chess lately, the place the Dutch GM presumably was referring to video games with sooner time controls:

“In common, how I think about high chess, is principally like it’s a must to be actually gifted and work actually, actually onerous and do all the things you’ll be able to, however the second you truly play, after all it’s a must to give your finest and stuff, however the final result is principally determined by luck. Magnus after all is healthier than the remaining so he’s on common scoring higher however once I play different friends, I really feel we have already carried out all the things and now it is only a coin toss. Of course it isn’t JUST a coin toss, like if I do a coin toss with a random man and I’m gonna beat him, however for those who do all the things proper, and you’re a skilled chess participant, the end result can be principally a coin toss, that is the way in which I see it.”

All video games spherical 5

FTX Crypto Cup | Round 5 Standings

The FTX Crypto Cup, the sixth occasion within the Meltwater Champions Chess Tour, takes place August 15-21, 2022 on chess24. The format is a round-robin amongst eight gamers, who play a match of 4 fast video games (15+10) in every spherical. The winner earns $7,500 and three factors. In the case of a tie, a two-game blitz tiebreak is performed (5+3), adopted by an armageddon sport (5 vs. 4). In that case, the winner earns $5,000 and two factors; the loser, $2,500 and one level. The prize fund is $210,000 plus an extra $100,000 tied to the worth of Bitcoin.