Chessable Masters QF Day 1: Jorden ends So's unbeaten streak

by Shahid Ahmed - 04/08/2021

Tata Steel Chess 2021 winner Jorden van Foreest ended So's 16-game unbeaten streak in the Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Chessable Masters. After an interesting draw in the first game, Jorden beat So in the next game in just 19 moves where the Fischer Random World Champion got in trouble early in the middlegame by opting for a rare sideline. He struck back in the next game to level the score. Only Aronian and Liem won the first set which means Mamedyarov and Firouzja must win the second set to force tie-breaks. Second set of the Quarterfinals starts today at 8:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

All fighting games

The first day of the Quarterfinals might have only six decisive and nine games which ended in draws. However, there were no quick/short/theoretical draws. The shortest game of the day was Jorden van Foreest's victory over So in just 19 moves. If you are wondering about the shortest draw of the day, well it lasted 39 moves.

Jorden van Foreest ended So's 16-game unbeaten streak | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

So - Jorden: 2-2

The first game between So and Jorden was a rollercoaster battle. It was the American who had the first opportunity to gain substanstial advantage.

So - Jorden, Game 1

Position after 22...b6

22...b6 actually put Black in trouble because the b4-knight has no safe squares left. Thus, 23.a3 would have destroyed Black's queenside pawn structure as 23.a3 bxc5 24.axb4 cxb4 25.Bc6 Rc8 26.Rxa7 would have given White the upper hand.

Position after 28.Be7

28.Be7 is an ineffective fork as 28...c5 29.Bxf8 Kxf8 30.Rd8+ Ke7 31.Rb8 Bxb2 and now Black is back in the game big time. Unfortunately for Jorden, he was unable to capitalize on his advantage and the game ended in a draw by repetition.

Jorden struck first in the second game and gained a 0.5-1.5 lead.

Jorden - So, Game 2

Position after 14...fxe4

14...fxe4 is what started turning things in White's favor. Find out the best plan for White. Jorden won the game in another five moves.

So immediately struck back in the third game to level the score 1.5-1.5. However, Jorden could have saved in the final moments of the game.

So - Jorden, Game 3

Position after 52.Bxe8

Black can still save the game in the above position. Find out how. The text 52...f4 turned to be the cause of the loss for Black.

The fourth game ended in a draw. Thus the first set got tied at 2-2

Artemiev - Nakamura: 2-2

Nakamura had a very good opportunity against Artemiev in the first game.

Nakamura - Artemiev, Game 1

Position after 31...c5

Find out the best continuation for White in the above position. The game eventually ended in a draw.

The second, third and fourth game ended in a draw. The first set was undecided at 2-2.

Firouzja - Liem: 1-3

After a draw in the first game, Liem scored a nice win in the second game.

Liem - Firouzja, Game 2

Position after 29...f5

In an already difficult position, Black went for an incorrect break, 29...f5. White used his advantage correctly and converted it into a win. Liem gained a 0.5-1.5 lead.

The third game ended in a draw. Although, Firouzja had a promising position at one point.

Firouzja lost the fourth game as he made a grave mistake in a slightly unbalanced position.

Liem - Firouzja, Game 4

Position after 27...Bf6

Find out why 27...Bf6 is a mistake.

Mamedyarov - Aronian: 0.5-2.5

The first game ended in a draw. However, Mamedyarov had a good opportunity.

Aronian - Mamedyarov, Game 1

Position after 25.Rf1

25...exd4 26.cxd4 Qxe4 perhaps would have been better for Black than the text 25...Rd6.

Aronian scored a victory in the second game to take a 0.5-1.5 lead.

In the third game, Aronian slightly messed up his win which delayed the inevitable. He managed to score the win eventually to win the first in minimum games, 0.5-2.5