Today, on a chess online tournament on fast chess FTX Crypto Cup from the Champions Chess Tour series, organized by the world champion Magnus Karlsen, the first semi-finals will be held.
Teymur Rajabov won in the quarterfinals of the Dutchman Anisha Giri (2.5: 1.5, 2: 2), and his rival in the semifinals was precisely Karlsen, who beat the American Hikaru Nakamuru in Tai break.
In another semi-final there are another US representative Wesley CO and the future participant of the match for the title of world champion, Russian Yang Nepomnya.
Semifinals, like all the playoffs, consist of two matches, each of which includes a maximum of four parties. The task of chess players – to win in one match and do not lose in the other. If both matches are completed in a draw or rivals will exchange victories, two parties will play in Blitz. If they do not reveal the winner, the rivals are waiting for “Armageddon”.
Recall that Shakhriyar Mammadyarov participated in the current tournament, but at the preliminary stage he took the 10th place and dropped out of the struggle.
Total in qualifying 16 chess players played with each other in one circle. Time control in the tournament – 15 minutes plus 10 seconds for each moved. In the Blitz control will be 5 + 3, and in the “Armageddon” white will have 5 minutes, in black – 4 minutes, but draw will mean the victory of black.
Tournament prize fund – 320 thousand dollars plus a bonus of 100 thousand dollars in Bitcoins. The winner, in addition to prizes, will receive the right to play in the September finals of the tour.
Recall Teymur Rajabov won a brilliant victory over Levon Aronian in the final of the Second Tournament Champions Chess Tour in early January. Thus, Rajabov has already secured part in the final stage.