Magnus Carlsen (32) is now level with American Hikaru Nakamura (35) after the first two matches on the closing day of the World Blitz Championship.
Nakamura led by one point after the first – 12 games – of two days of blitz in Almaty.
But the American opened Friday with two draws – against Richard Report and Jan Nepumungachchij.
Carlsen won a very exciting match against Richard Routh in the second round on Friday.
– Quite raw, says NRK commentator Torstein Bae.
Carlsen is suddenly left with two queens – after Rapport chased after Carlsen’s king using checkers. But the Norwegian managed to secure victory after a drama in which the arrow swung from side to side as both made huge mistakes.
– He’s quite sick, Carlsen tells NRK.
– We’ve never seen anything like this, says Atle Grønn in studio NRK.
– You managed to sleep well. I don’t feel energized. I’m happy with the medal, but I’m going to take the gold, the Norwegian Chess dossier said on Friday.
Game 13: Victory with White
Carlsen opened Friday’s match against the surprise Armenian, Hayk Martirosyan. It was a completely even position – but against the 20th move the Norwegian got a pawn advantage, and in the end the Armenian had no chance.
Game 14: Victory with White
Richard Routh came on a bit early, without Carlsen being able to get a hold. It was a very exciting game, Carlsen first made a huge mistake, and then made up for it. Suddenly Carlsen had two queens and won.
Magnus Carlsen has already won the World Rapid Chess Championship this week.
He is now chasing his sixth WC title in blitz chess. The Norwegian previously won in 2009, 2014, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
In blitz chess, each player starts with three minutes. There are two additional seconds for each move.
Did you catch this situation from Thursday’s drama?
Despite arriving late for the first game, Magnus Carlsen impressed in the first half of Thursday – before ending a busy day with a five-time draw.
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