The Week in Chess

Alireza Firouzja beat Jan-Krzysztof Duda to finish second in the 8th Altibox Norway Chess tournament. Firouzja built up a huge advantage but then allowed 28...Na5 which was almost equal but once Duda didn't play this there were no further problems. If Firouzja had held the endgame against Carlsen yesterday he would have even won the event. Nevertheless this looks like a breakthrough result for Firouzja.

Magnus Carlsen who had already secured victory in the tournament yesterday played extremely poorly against Levon Aronian. First Carlsen was quickly worse out of the opening but then Aronian allowed him back in the game, Carlsen was worse again and then completely equal before 50.Rxf6? (50.Rg7+=) and he really was lost - Carlsen rarely gives this number of chances. Tarjei J. Svensen (@TarjeiJS twitter) gave the following Stat: "Carlsen loses his first game with white in classical since December 2017, 88 games ago (+40 =48 -0)".

Fabiano Caruana was held in a Ruy Lopez by Aryan Tari in the classical game but when they repeated it in the Armageddon Caruana won.

Today it was announced by FIDE that the Candidates tournament will not be resumed in November but postponed until the Spring.

Final Standings: 1st Carlsen 19.5pts, 2nd Firouzja 18.5pts, 3rd Aronian 17.5pts, 4th Caruana 15.5pts, 5th Duda 9.5pts, 6th Tari 3.5pts.