Carlsen leads So in battle for 3rd; Giri-Nepomniachtchi tie in title clash

Magnus Carlsen is on a revenge mission against Wesley So and is on the verge of success.

Flashing his world champion form, Carlsen trounced So, 3-1, in the first set of their battle for 3rd place in the Magnus Carlsen Invitational Saturday, March 20 (Sunday, March 21, Philippine time).

The Carlsen-So part III battle in the Champions Chess Tour grabbed more attention as the first set of the Ian Nepomniachtchi-Anish Giri title tussle ended up tied, 2-2, following 4 straight draws.

So, the Filipino-born United States champion, humbled Carlsen twice in the $1.5 million Tour finals and became the overall leader. So first ruled in the inaugural Skilling Open and then in the Opera Euro Rapid, which is the third stop of the 10-leg Tour.  

Although Carlsen has emerged the top qualifier in each of the first 4 legs, including the second leg Airthings Masters and the fourth leg bearing his name, the Norwegian legend has yet to clinch a Tour title.

And with Nepomniachtchi denying him that chance in the semifinals, just like what Giri did to So, Carlsen now wants to vent his frustrations on So, who has proven to be a thorn since 2019.

So dealt Carlsen a 13.5-2.5 thrashing before his countrymen that year to capture the first World Fischer Random Chess Championship.

No wonder, Carlsen went for the kill with white right in their first Four Knights Game.

So managed to stall him with draws in games 2 and 3, but got outplayed again in the Giuoco Piano game 4.

Unless So regains his bearing in the second set on Monday, Carlsen is bound to get his retribution while Nepomniachtchi and Giri tangle for the title and the $60,000 prize. – Rappler.com