Magnus Carlsen wins Airthings Masters 2022

by Shahid Ahmed - 27/02/2022

Magnus Carlsen took the minimum number of games to win the second set of the Finals. Unlike the first season, the world champion started Meltwater Champions Chess Tour 2022 by winning Airthings Masters. After a draw in the first game, Carlsen won the next two games to win the Finals. Although Nepomniachtchi had a pleasant position in the second game, he just went all-in which did not work out. One cannot forget the world events which is going on currently certainly has affected Nepomniachtchi's performance in the Finals, but that does not take any credit away from the world no.1. The next event of the tour starts on 19th March. Photo: chess24

No tie-breaks needed

"I think these things are always going to be about whether you can perform on that particular day and so on. My games were going in a positive direction here. I felt that I was playing better as the tournament went along. Fortunately that was enough. I do think that he didn't show his best today. Overall in the tournament, he has done very well." - Magnus Carlsen on winning the first event, Airthings Masters of Meltwater Champions Chess Tour 2022.

The second day of the Finals will decide the winner | Photo: Amruta Mokal

Carlsen - Nepomniachtchi: 2.5-0.5

The first game of the second set of the Finals ended in a draw. Carlsen won the second game.

Carlsen - Nepomniachtchi, Game 2

Position after 24...Rad8

Nepomniachtchi's gamble of sacrificing his knight on f4 did not work out. 24...Rad8 25.gxf4 Qxf4 26.Qe2 Rde8 27.Qd3 h5 28.Nh2 Re5 29.Rxe5 Qxe5 30.c3 and White is completely winning. Black might gain another pawn, but that won't be enough as a compensation.

Nepomniachtchi needed a draw minimum in the second game to enforce tie-breaks. He went all-in which did not pay off.

Nepomniachtchi - Carlsen, Game 3

Position after 24.Rhe1

White is unable to generate counterplay via 24.Rhe1 as Rg2 is met by 25.Qa7 Qd7. Now Black has his own threats on the queenside against which White is not well-prepared. Nepomniachtchi succumbed to Carlsen' counterattack and lost the game in another five moves.