📷 Image Credits: Chess News | ChessBase
In the ongoing Norway Chess super-tournament in Stavanger, Magnus Carlsen, Ding Liren, and Fabiano Caruana all secured victories in their round-9 encounters, leading to an exciting final round showdown. Carlsen’s win against Alireza Firouzja propelled him to a 1½ point lead over Hikaru Nakamura, who fell to Ding Liren in Armageddon. Despite Ding’s recent struggles, he managed to bounce back in rounds 7-9, culminating in a crucial win over Nakamura in the tiebreaker.
Ding Liren started the tournament strongly by defeating R Praggnanandhaa in round 2. However, a series of unexpected losses followed, leaving Ding visibly uncomfortable during games. Concerns were raised by his colleagues, highlighting the challenging nature of professional chess and the need to cope with tough times. Fortunately, Ding’s recovery in rounds 7-9 showcased his resilience and determination.
As the tournament nears its conclusion, Carlsen remains the favorite to clinch the title. However, Nakamura and Pragg are still in contention, with the final round promising intense battles. In the upcoming matches, Carlsen will face Caruana, while Nakamura takes on Praggnanandhaa, setting the stage for an exciting finish.
The format of the super-tournament awards varying points for wins in classical chess and Armageddon, adding to the suspense and unpredictability of the event. With players like Ding showing signs of improvement and the top contenders vying for victory, the final round is sure to deliver thrilling chess encounters.