Aronian obtains commanding win, Niemann overpowers Caruana
The third day of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in Las Vegas decided the two finalists who will play for the tournament title on Sunday. Hans Niemann and Levon Aronian both won their upper bracket semifinal matches on Friday and will now compete for first place and the $200,000 prize. This is the first time either player has reached a final in the inaugural Freestyle Chess series.
Hans Niemann faced Fabiano Caruana in a match that lasted four games. The first two games, played with a classical time control, ended in draws. In the first rapid tiebreak, Niemann found himself in trouble but managed to hold the position and avoid defeat. In the second rapid game, he launched a direct attack and won, taking the match 2½–1½.
Already a pawn up, and with a strong initiative, Niemann broke through with tactical precision in the deciding game of the confrontation.
There followed 39…Rxh4 40.Rxh4 Nf3 41.Rh3 Ng5 42.Rg3 Ne6 43.Qg4 Rf4 44.Qd1 Rh4 45.Rf2 Nf4+
A remarkable circuit by the knight now leaves White completely defenceless. The game concluded with 46.Rxf4 Bxf4 47.Rh3 Qg5+ 48.Kh1 Rxh3+ 49.Bxh3 Qg3
With this result, Niemann advanced to the final and remains undefeated in knockout play so far in Las Vegas.
It was a tough match between Fabiano Caruana and Hans Niemann | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Levon Aronian’s path to the final was more direct. He defeated Arjun Erigaisi by winning both classical games, making a tiebreak unnecessary. This 2–0 win followed earlier victories over Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura in previous rounds.
Aronian is now one of the last two players competing for the Las Vegas title, after three strong performances in a row all against players ranked among the top five in the world!
Levon Aronian got a clear victory over Arjun Erigaisi | Photo: Lennart Ootes
All games – Upper bracket
Lower bracket survivors: Carlsen v. So and Naka v. Pragg
In the lower bracket, four matches were played to determine who would remain in contention for third place. Magnus Carlsen played Javokhir Sindarov. Carlsen won the first game and drew the second, winning the match 1½–½. Hikaru Nakamura defeated Leinier Dominguez with wins in both classical games, finishing with a score of 2–0.
Wesley So faced Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Their two classical games ended in draws, but So gained the upper hand in the rapid tiebreaks and won the match. Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu eliminated Vincent Keymer by winning one classical game and drawing the other, finishing the match 1½–½. As a result, Carlsen, Nakamura, So and Praggnanandhaa all advanced to the lower bracket semifinals, which will be played on Saturday.
The four eliminated players – Keymer, Dominguez, Abdusattorov and Sindarov – are now out of the tournament and will share ninth place in the final standings.
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Magnus Carlsen was the clear favourite in his match against young Uzbek grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu got the better of Vincent Keymer | Photo: Lennart Ootes
With only eight players remaining, the tournament now moves into its final weekend. Saturday’s matches will determine which two players reach the lower bracket final and get the chance to play for third place on Sunday.
The Grand Final between Niemann and Aronian will also take place on Sunday and will decide the first champion of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam on American soil.
