CCT Finals Day 2: Magnus nudges ahead, and then a mess!
After the second day of the Champions Chess Tour Finals, Magnus Carlsen has the sole lead with 5/6 match victories. He’s just ahead of the trio Alireza Firouzja, Denis Lazavik, and Ian Nepomniachtchi, who share second place at 4/5 with one round of the round robin to go. It was Firouzja who handed Magnus his one loss in round 5, making three straight draws including the clinching one with Black in armageddon.
The top two of the eight players qualify directly to the semi-finals and the bottom two are eliminated, while the middle four have an extra play-in stage to qualify for the semis. Everyone is still playing to win, with four players in reach of top two and four at risk of an early finish. The round 7 matchups are Carlsen – Lazavik, Firouzja – Keymer, Vachier-Lagrave – So, and Nepomniachtchi – Aronian. Undoubtedly the commentary will have fun keeping track of who is poised to qualify as the games and matches develop.
What may be a dramatic day three in Oslo starts at 12:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CET on Thursday.
