So Captures First Knockout Victory in Bullet Playoff

The knockout began with the Swiss winner, Sevian, drawing in opposition to Maghsoodloo in a really evenly-fought speedy recreation. Additionally they drew of their blitz tiebreaker, repeating strikes in an equal ending. Within the bullet playoff, Sevian arrange all his items on highly effective places in his opponent’s place on all sides of the board and shortly checkmated.

Paravyan held a tremendous draw in opposition to Matlakov of their speedy recreation. Paravyan fought out the final 25+ strikes of the sport with simply seconds on the clock whereas Matlakov had practically two minutes.

Their blitz tiebreaker was equal all through, resulting in a draw. Of their bullet playoff, Matlakov overcame through the use of his rook on the seventh, supported by a handed d-pawn, and his queen to checkmate.

Andreikin defeated Grischuk with unbelievable method within the rook ending.

So created a monster knight on d5, and shortly his items rolled Esipenko’s items virtually off the board.

Sevian kicked off the semifinals with a fast draw in opposition to Matlakov within the speedy, aiming to take his possibilities with black within the blitz playoff. Sevian got here by way of, saving a worse endgame after which flipping it right into a victory.

So declined a draw within the ending in opposition to Andreikin after which precisely transformed his higher place into victory. 

The Sevian vs. So closing began with a hard-fought recreation, filled with dynamic play, that led to a draw. 

After reaching an equal place out of the opening, So provided a draw within the blitz tiebreaker. Within the bullet playoff, he gained an additional pawn and, as he pressed within the ending, Sevian blundered a knight.

So performed convincing, impregnable chess all through all of his matches. In his interview, he shared his method to the video games and the completely different time controls:

To be trustworthy, I simply wished to play it secure in each recreation. I do not often play effectively within the Sunday part. Earlier than, I’d be too formidable and simply get a completely worse place with white. It virtually occurred within the blitz recreation with Sam. I rapidly provided a draw and luckily, he accepted.

I simply wished to play it secure and hold my possibilities alive. I feel in bullet if you happen to’re not enjoying Hikaru, I feel the probabilities are 50/50. You could have a good likelihood. So long as you have not misplaced the sport but, you continue to have life. You’ll be able to hold the sport going.

I simply wished to play it secure and hold my possibilities alive. 

-Wesley So

The winner of the Swiss match is Sevian, and the winner of the knockout match is So. Beneath are the complete standings and prizes of the knockout:

Sunday Knockout | Closing Standings