I think the miniature of the event was the game of GM Nakamura and GM Mamedyarov I believe it was round 8 or 9, Mamedyarov just made a pawn move that smothered the escape route of his Bishop fun game to watch Nakamura literally crushed Mamedyarov there.

i think nakamura wins if they use colored green chess board,  usualy i practice in green regular size

I agree with TwoMac19... they are playing what they know and how they would strategize in a normal game but at a much faster pace as their knowledge is much deeper and inherent than what us much less experienced/trained players possess.

Therefore Kolovrat, I think what you said is more true for us less experienced players.

Kolovrat- you say not true chess ability. Most GMs would say that blitz shows the raw talent you have for the game. Not including the aspects such as memory for openings etc. 

I love naka....but look at his expressions after his queen trapped and rook entered in the first move he reminds me of my dear brother maddy

Nice tournament...Aronian is really a giant...

 

@pappyboyington

After 33. ... Ra8, I guess white would follow the same plan like Bb2 and Nc5 which may reach the same position after move 35.

Interestingly, Naka only had to play 25...  instead of Nde2 instead of Nce2 to remain about even (actually at +0,31) , according to analysis by Stockfish. It's interesting that in a game where he constantly shakes his head and plays below level, he is still that good. EDIT after 19 moves it's changed to 0.00 by SF. 

Aronian is getting stronger tournament by tournament, however this is blitz, I do not really consider it as a true test of chess ability. 

your are great levon! you show your strength in the nerve cracking tournament!

@ Alcabiates - Be5 would make bad position into even worst. (Aronian would take rook back, attack knight and have another pawn waiting to be taken. enough material to win the game)

 

Great game for Aronian and tournament for Aronian!

Viva Aronian!! Way to go Armenia!

@TwoMac19, you can see Nakamura shaking his head a few times in this game with Levon.. and quite early in the game... Levon made it look easy to  beat him..

But I can understand players getting frustrated with themselves.. don't we all do that? I know I do... and there is a lot at stake for them in these  matches... ranking and prize money... plus there is the pressure of playing so fast. I'm in awe watching them.. but they all are great players to reach this level... gosh almost every name  is Slavic, is it not? Shows you how serious chess is in these Slavic countries, obviously from an early age.

Chess_kebabs- Nakamura was probably stressed as he had a woeful tournament according to his standards! While watching the live coverage (a perk of being a student) you could easily see him getting more and more angry with himself for throwing away results or losing. I actually felt he was pretty rude to some players, but i'm sure he said sorry after- as when i met him at the London Chess Classic he was every such a nice guy, having a chat with me! 

I agree pappyboyington... nakamura looked pretty stressed from early on.. that's what you get from rushing too much too soon...

oh sorry it's 33th move.

very funny to see the players in the video. What if instead of playing pawn take move 35 Nakamura plays the rook a8 to try to catch the knight in taking the pawn on the contrary of the bishop. Sorry for that bad english i try to do a blitz.

Alcabiates: try Be5 if black takes the rook on move 17.

@Alcabiates
If the rook is taken by Queen, then comes Be5 gets his rook back.

Good game and good finish

I don't understand the rook sack on move 17 by Aronian.  What would have happened if Nakamura simply took the rook with his Queen?