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Norway Chess R8: Carlsen does a hat-trick by beating Rapport

by Shahid Ahmed - 16/09/2021

Magnus Carlsen prevented Richard Rapport from doing a hat-trick by doing one of his own as he beat the Hungary no.1 in their Classical encounter in the eighth round of Norway Chess 2021. Rapport who is having the tournament of his life had to make sure that he does not lose the Classical game which he almost managed to do by playing solid. However, a blunder in the endgame cost him dearly. Rapport is still in the sole lead 15.5/24, Carlsen is breathing down his neck 15.0/24. Tari scored an impressive first win of the event and his career against Nepomniachtchi. Firouzja beat Karjakin with his own typical attacking display to move to 12.0/24. Round 9 starts today at 8:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes/Norway Chess

Three decisive games in Classical again

Once again, the eighth round had three decisive games. Tari, Carlsen and Firouzja scored the victories. In the Open section, Gukesh continues his sole lead at 7.0/8.

Carlsen is back in the championship picture | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Norway Chess

Nepomniachtchi - Tari: 0-3

Aryan Tari played fantastic on every part of the board.

Position after 20...b5

20...b5 disintegrates White's position. Although Black is focused on the center and the kingside, yet b5 is necessary to make things difficult for White.

Position after 24...Rxe4

White had one last chance to fight back after 24...Rxe4. Find out how. 25.Rg6 abandoned all hopes for White as 25...Rxf4 26.Rag1 Rg4 27.R1xg4 fxg4 28.Qxd3 Ng4 and Black brought the final piece into the party. The game was over in six more moves.

Aryan Tari: "I cannot describe how happy I am right now!" | Video: chess24

Tari scored an impressive win over Nepomniachtchi | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Norway Chess

Carlsen appreciated Tari's first win of the event

Carlsen - Rapport: 3-0

Rapport tried to play without any concrete plan. In the endgame, he eventually cracked in time trouble when the game could have headed towards a draw.

Position after 58...Nf6

58...Nf6 is a blunder. Black had to play 58...Qe6 to keep drawing chances.

Magnus Carlsen: "He's insane enough to play this move!" | Video: chess24
Richard Rapport: "Of course I completely failed today!" | Video: chess24

Carlsen beat Rapport in Classical | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Norway Chess

Karjakin - Firouzja: 0-3

For a guy who thrives in high entropy situations, Karjakin played into Firouzja's hands.

Position after 16.Ned5

16.Ncd5 was a relatively better continuation for White as 16.Ned5 meets with 16...Nxc3 17.Nxf6+ Bxf6 18.Qxf6 Kd7 connects the rooks and now White cannot even take on c3 because Qxc3+ is a fork.

Position after 19.g5

19.g5 delayed White's development of pieces which resulted in delaying the safety of the king too. Black's king is much safer. 19.Be3 and 0-0-0 was relatively a safer choice for White. 19...Nxe4 20.Qf3 d5 21.Qd1 Qb6 and Black won the game with precise play in another 13 moves.

Alireza Firouzja: "It feels great!" | Video: chess24

Firouzja won his second game in-a-row | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Norway Chess

Photo Gallery

Carlsen with his fans | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Norway Chess

Carlsen was relieved to beat Rapport in Classical | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Norway Chess

Happy Tari | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Norway Chess

Things are not going well for Nepomniachtchi | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Norway Chess

Aryan Tari with his fans | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Norway Chess

Judit Polgar taking a selfie with Aryan Tari | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Norway Chess

Replay Round 8 games

Pairings

Pairings for all rounds | Photo: chess24

Results

Tari scores his first win of the event against Nepomniachtchi | Photo: Norway Chess

Carlsen beats Rapport in Classical | Photo: Norway Chess

Firouzja scores another big win | Photo: Norway Chess

Standings

Carlsen has reduced the gap | Photo: Norway Chess

Scoring

Players will get the following points per round:

Victory in main game: 3 points

Loss in main game: 0 points

Draw in main game & victory Armageddon: 1.5 points

Draw in main game & loss Armageddon: 1 point

Armageddon Rules

• If there is a draw in the classical game, then the players will move on to Armageddon.

• White pieces will continue with white in Armageddon. With this, there will be a winner in each game due to the fact that black pieces will win if the game ends in a draw.

Replay the Live Stream

Greatest female chess player of all time GM Judit Polgar and GM David Howell are the Official Commentators | Video: chess24

Links

Norway Chess official site