Carlsen beats Nakamura, leaps past So in Champions Chess Tour race

World champion Magnus Carlsen rebounded from a first game loss to subdue Hikaru Nakamura in their New in Chess Classic title tussle and topple Wesley So as the overall leader of the Champions Chess Tour (CCT).

After a draw in the second game, Carlsen prevailed in the third and was winning the fourth when Nakamura offered the draw, conceding defeat and the $30,000 winner’s purse on Sunday, May 2 (Monday, May 3, Philippine time).

Sustaining the form that made him the top qualifier, Carlsen clinched his first championship in 6 months and vaulted past So in the Tour points standing as well as in earnings.

Carlsen got the maximum 50 points for a total of 185, 40 points ahead of So, who yielded his quarterfinals match to Levon Aronian and settled for 5 points and $5,000.

So, the reigning United States champion, has garnered 145 points and $90,000 (over P4.3 million) in total.

Upstaged by So in both the Skilling Open and Opera Euro Rapid, Carlsen has stashed $95,000 in total.

Nakamura, who bowed to Carlsen, 1-3, in the first set of their two finals matches, collected 33 points and $15,000 to climb to 73 points and $45,000 overall.

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov beat Aronian, 2.5-0.5 in their battle-for-third clash and posted 21 points and $8,500.

Airthings Masters winner Teimour Radjabov is No. 3 in points at 109 and No. 5 in earnings with $63,500 after another quarterfinals stint.

The sixth event of the $1.5 million CCT will start on May 23 with Carlsen, Nakamura, and So expected to be back. It will be the Tour’s third major with $220,000 at stake. – Rappler.com