Freestyle Grand Slam Chess: Arjun Erigaisi bows out in semifinals after loss to Aronian

Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi’s dream run on the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam ended within the semifinals after a 0-2 defeat to Armenian-turned-American Levon Aronian in Las Vegas.

Erigaisi, who grew to become the primary Indian to achieve the final 4 stage of the Freestyle Grand Slam with a stellar efficiency, ran out of steam within the match up in opposition to Aronian who’s discovering his magical contact again within the sport.

After beating Magnus Carlsen within the play-off for a top-four spot within the prelims and Hikaru Nakamura within the quarterfinals, Arjun didn’t convert his possibilities within the first sport.

Aronian, regardless of being in a tough place, held agency and was rewarded when Arjun couldn’t capitalise on his benefit.

In the return sport, with Aronian needing solely a draw to advance, he performed subtly to realize a slight benefit out of the opening. As the sport settled right into a balanced place, it appeared headed for a draw, however Arjun, needing a win to remain within the match, took unwarranted dangers that price him dearly.

Hans Moke Niemann of the United States was the opposite participant to achieve the finals, defeating compatriot Fabiano Caruana. Niemann arrived barely late for the primary sport however managed to attract it.

Two extra attracts adopted earlier than the youthful American outmanoeuvred Caruana with some finely crafted middlegame play.

R Praggnanandhaa, who had bowed out of the title race, defeated Vincent Keymer of Germany within the playoff for Third-Eighth place. Praggnanandhaa drew the primary sport as Black and outplayed Keymer within the return sport to register a 1.5-0.5 victory.

World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen additionally gained by the identical margin in opposition to Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan.

In different matches, Wesley So of the United States defeated Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan 3-1, whereas in an all-American duel, Hikaru Nakamura crushed Leinier Dominguez Perez 2-0.

Results Semifinals:

Arjun Erigaisi (Ind) misplaced to Levon Aronian (Usa) 0-2; Fabiano Caruana (Usa) misplaced to Hans Moke Niemann (Usa) 1.5-2.5 Other outcomes: Lenier Dominguez Perez (Usa) misplaced to Hikaru Nakamura (Usa) 0-2; Magnus Carlsen (Nor) beat Javokhir Sindarov (Uzb) 1.5-0.5; R Praggnanandhaa beat Vincent Keymer 1.5-0.5; Wesley So (Usa) beat Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzb) 3-1.