The Week in Chess

Alireza Firouzja leads the 8th Altibox Norway Chess tournament after an Armageddon win against Levon Aronian, their classical game was a big struggle too. The game of the day saw Fabiano Caruana get a significant advantage against Magnus Carlsen but the World Champion defended well to avoid a second defeat in just three days.

Magnus Carlsen was in danger of a second loss in three days in his game against Fabiano Caruana. Caruana played a Rossolimo Sicilian and didn't get much until 17...Na5?! (17...Bxh4) when all of a sudden Carlsen was in grave danger. 25.b4 (maybe just 25.Qxd3) perhaps let Carlsen back into the game and even though he was short of time he was equal by move 30 and the game was soon draw. The Armageddon was eventually won by Carlsen on time.

Alireza Firouzja didn't seem to get much out of the opening against Levon Aronian and the position looked rather dull but only a few moves later the position became very complicated and Firouzja was pressing for a win, Aronian saved the endgame. In the Armageddon Aronian missed a two move tactic that would win and eventually lost on time. Firouzja leads by a point from Carlsen.

Jan-Krzysztof Duda got a large advantage out of the opening against Aryan Tari and brought home the full point in 27 moves.

Round 8 Tuesday 4pm 13th Oct 2020. Carlsen-Tari, Aronian-Duda, Caruana-Firouzja

Round 7 Standings: 1 Firouzja 14½pts, 2 Carlsen 13½pts, 3 Aronian 12pts, 4 Caruana 11pts, 5 Duda 7pts, 6 Tari 1½pts.