FIDE World Cup 2021 R4 TB: Carlsen makes his way to the Round of 16

by Shahid Ahmed - 25/07/2021

The world champion Magnus Carlsen beat Radoslaw Wojtaszek 2.5-1.5 to set a clash with Andrey Esipenko in the Pre Quarter-Finals of the FIDE World Cup. Esipenko defeated Carlsen's second Dubov in the tie-breaks. Vasif Durarbayli traded wins with Abdusattorov and eventually won the match 4-2 to advance to the next stage, where he will face Vidit Gujrathi. Goryachkina beat former women's world champion Stefanova in the tie-breaks to advance to the Quarter-Finals. Dzagnidze, Lagno and Saduakassova are the three other women who won their respective tie-breaks to advance to the final eight. Round 5 starts today at 5:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Anastasiia Korolkova/FIDE

Ivic knocks out Andreikin

18-year-old Serbian GM Velimir Ivic could very well be the find of the tournament as he is the only sub-2600 GM to have made his way into the Pre Quarter-Finals. He beat the FIDE World Cup 2013 runner-up Dmitry Andreikin 3-1. He is also one of the undefeated players in the tournament so far.

Carlsen is absolutely determined to win the World Cup | Photo: Anastasiia Korolkova/FIDE

FIDE World Cup 2021 and FIDE Women's World Cup 2021 Official logo | Photo: Official site

Carlsen - Wojtaszek: 2.5-1.5

The first Rapid tie-break ended in a draw. Carlsen made a great positional squeeze in the endgame to beat Wojtaszek in the second tie-break game to eliminate him from the tournament.

Position after 29.g3

Black's poorly placed knight at a6 is completely stuck. Thus, Black is virtually down by a knight here which means it's just a matter of time for White to convert the advantage into a full point. Carlsen won the match against Wojtaszek, 2.5-1.5

Carlsen is yet to show a chink in his armor in this event | Photo: Anastasiia Korolkova/FIDE

Durarbayli - Abdusattorov: 4-2

Abdusattorov struck first in their first Rapid 25+10 tie-break game.

Abdusattorov - Durarbayli, Game 3

Position after 32.Nd6+

32.Nd6+ is an excellent move. There is a defense for Black, but it is difficult to find especially in time trouble.

Durarbayli won the must-win second game to stay in the tournament. Abdusattorov made an early mistake in the opening which completely turned things in his opponent's favor.

Abdusattorov - Durarbayli, Game 4

Position after 12...Bxa3

12...Bxa3 is an unforced error by Black. Find out why. The score became level 2-2.

In the third tie-break game, Abdusattorov crumbled under pressure as made an incorrect sacrifice.

Abdusattorov - Durarbayli, Game 5

Position after 16.Nxe5

16.Nxe5 is a mistake because Black can play 16...Rxe5 and even after 17.Bxe5 Qxe5 defends the knight. Black won the game comfortably.

Durarbayli completed dominated the fourth tie-break game right out of the opening and Abdusattorov could not get out the gate. Thus, Durarbayli advanced to the next stage, where he will face Vidit Gujrathi.

Durarbayli only lost to Abdusattorov twice in this event | Photo: Anastasiia Korolkova/FIDE

Interview with Vasif Durarbayli | Video: FIDE

Durarbayli took a stand for himself and tweeted his thoughts about a now-deleted tweet by chess24. They later deleted the tweet and replied an apology to his tweet. The Azerbaijani also praised his opponent Abdusattorov both in the interview and his tweet.