GM Le Quang Liem and GM-elect Tuan Minh Le received the ultimate two Chess.com World Championship Play-Ins. GMs Vladislav Kovalev and Maxim Matlakov completed second. These are the final 4 gamers who’ve certified to affix the unbelievable discipline of gamers within the Knockout Section, together with legends akin to Vladimir Kramnik and Viswanathan Anand.
The CGC Knockout begins on September 14, 2022.
Play-in 15
Le Quang Liem received clear first with 8.5 factors, beginning with a 7-0 profitable streak and ending a full level forward of the sector. Within the final spherical, the Webster College coach defeated the eventual winner of the following Play-in, grabbing his opponent’s a-pawn early within the recreation and step by step main this small edge right into a profitable ending.
Kovalev scored seven factors, ending third, and received the playoff by default when his opponent, GM Vugar Rasulov, did not present up. Kovalev received a must-win recreation within the final spherical by actively combating off his opponent’s kingside play to win two pawns.
Rasulov received his final spherical towards GM Sergei Azarov with intelligent tactical play.
By advancing, Le and Kovalev earn the possibility at a minimal of $5,000 within the knockout section together with their respective Play-in prizes of $850 and $600. Rasulov earns $400 for third place.
Play-in #15 Swiss | Remaining Standings (Prime 10)
| Quantity | Rk | Fed | Title | Username | Identify | Ranking | Rating | SB |
| 1 | 2 | GM | LiemLe | Le Quang Liem | 2670 | 8.5 | 43.75 | |
| 2 | 12 | GM | vugarrasulov | Vugar Rasulov | 2595 | 7.5 | 38.75 | |
| 3 | 3 | GM | vladislavkovalev | Vladislav Kovalev | 2618 | 7 | 38 | |
| 4 | 5 | GM | AlexanderL | Aleksandr Lenderman | 2618 | 7 | 37.5 | |
| 5 | 10 | FM | MarcoRiehle | Marco Riehle | 2560 | 7 | 34.5 | |
| 6 | 50 | GM | Mikhail_Golubev | Mikhail Golubev | 2388 | 7 | 33.75 | |
| 7 | 30 | IM | Coachpoker | Alexey Averjanov | 2466 | 7 | 33.5 | |
| 8 | 27 | FM | Reader777 | Learn Samadov | 2503 | 7 | 31.5 | |
| 9 | 22 | Sattarov_Bobur | Bobur Sattarov | 2517 | 6.5 | 32.75 | ||
| 10 | 4 | IM | wonderfultime | Tuan Minh Le | 2623 | 6.5 | 32 |
*Word a playoff happens between second and third place for qualification into the Knockout Section.
(Full ultimate standings right here.)
Play-in 16
After shedding within the final spherical of the earlier play-in, Tuan Minh Le got here again in Play-in 16 and received the ultimate spherical towards GM Alan Pichot, ending first with 7.5.
Matlakov and Rasulov completed in second and third, additionally with 7.5 factors. Of their first playoff recreation, Matlakov gained two additional pawns, however Rasulov defended actively, centralizing his items and making a mating internet. Matlakov needed to sacrifice the alternate to flee, and the gamers drew.
Matlakov transformed within the second recreation, gaining an additional pawn, a time edge, and stress round Rasulov’s king.
Within the post-match interview, Matlakov shared how he almost withdrew from the occasion within the early rounds: “At this time, I misplaced once more within the second spherical. I needed to throw [away] this match, however then I had excessive luck. Within the ultimate match, I performed fairly decently, however I additionally had a lot of luck, particularly within the first recreation once I missed this mate thought.”
By advancing, Le and Matlakov earn the possibility at a minimal of $5,000 within the knockout section together with their respective Play-In prizes of $850 and $600. Rasulov earns $400 for third place.
Play-in #16 Swiss | Remaining Standings (Prime 10)
| Quantity | Rk | Fed | Title | Username | Identify | Ranking | Rating | SB |
| 1 | 3 | IM | wonderfultime | Tuan Minh Le | 2630 | 7.5 | 42.75 | |
| 2 | 7 | GM | BillieKimbah | Maxim Matlakov | 2585 | 7.5 | 37 | |
| 3 | 5 | GM | vugarrasulov | Vugar Rasulov | 2601 | 7.5 | 32 | |
| 4 | 12 | GM | jcibarra | José Carlos Ibarra Jerez | 2566 | 7 | 39.25 | |
| 5 | 15 | GM | platy3 | Alan Pichot | 2556 | 7 | 37.25 | |
| 6 | 1 | GM | ChristopherYoo | Christopher Woojin Yoo | 2627 | 7 | 31.5 | |
| 7 | 38 | domalchukjonasson | Aleksandr Domalchuk-Jonasson | 2420 | 7 | 30.5 | ||
| 8 | 20 | vagpatre | Evaggelos Patrelakis | 2486 | 6.5 | 33.75 | ||
| 9 | 45 | IM | Rud_Makarian | Rudik Makarian | 2472 | 6.5 | 32.5 | |
| 10 | 27 | FM | peonrojo150 | Gonzalo Navarrete | 2468 | 6.5 | 32 |
*Word a playoff happens between second and third place for qualification into the Knockout Section.
(full ultimate standings right here.)
The Chess.com World Championship is a worldwide prize occasion open to all Chess.com verified gamers. The occasion has a $1,000,000 prize fund and brings collectively gamers from all all over the world with chess legends like GMs Alexei Shirov, Vasyl Ivanchuk, Hou Yifan, and lots of extra. The Play-in section consists of 16 Swiss tournaments which is able to award the top-two gamers from every occasion with a share of the $60,000 prize fund and a spot within the CGC Knockouts.
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