The Week in Chess

Magnus Carlsen won the first game of the FTX Crypto Cup final but Wesley So equalised in game three and thus the players shared the first set 2-2 on the first day of the final. These were the only two games of any note on the day as Carlsen really didn't try with the white pieces in game 2 and took a draw by repetition - the players repeated exactly the same moves in game 4. Carlsen later claimed that he was feeling ill but his use of the short draw with the white pieces straight after a win has been a regular tactic of his. So also admitted to trouble sleeping last night before the match.

The match for the 3rd-4th places between Ian Nepomniachtchi and Teimour Radjabov saw four short content less draws. Whilst it might be argued that the 3rd-4th playoff match isn't very important to anyone, it could equally be argued that the players were what's commonly known as, taking the piss. Whilst I'm generally sympathetic to the idea that players do what's in their best interests to win a match, there is surely at least some duty provide some entertainment for the money they're being paid.

In game one of the final Wesley So played a sharp Giuoco Piano, Carlsen thought for some time before playing 18...Nxc3 because 19.exf6 was a sharp try, the best reply according to the computer is the intermezzo 19...Qd6 threatening mate, but there was nothing wrong with the 19...Be4 Carlsen played, most likely 25.Nxf3 was an inaccuracy, 25.Rae1 was surely better but it was So's 26.Qb4 which was the real error, he seemed to be completely oblivious to white's attacking chances, and after 27.Qc5 Carlsen blitzed out his crushing attack. A very strange collapse from So.

In game three of the final So repeated the sharp line of the Giuoco Piano with 4.c3 and it was Carlsen's turn to go from level to lost in just a few moves. 12...Ba5 was likely the start of the wrong plan but it was after 14...Na5? he was already completely lost and much as Carlsen did in game one So just piled up his pieces on the Kingside and Carlsen could do nothing about it.

All very odd today if you ask me.

The final day of the FTX Crypto Cup is on Monday.