Duda in Pole position going into QFs with Carlsen set to face Erigaisi again

A nerve-wracking final three rounds of the Aimchess Rapid prelim stage saw Polish ace Jan-Krzysztof Duda sail through to the quarter-finals in first place while Anish Giri was sensationally knocked out.

Duda, the World Cup winner, sealed his spot and $7,000 in game winnings with an impressive 28/45pts.

The 24-year-old also goes into the next phase having moved up to second in the overall Meltwater Champions Chess Tour rankings. He is now the only player left who can catch World Champion Magnus Carlsen at the end of the season.

In typically understated fashion, Duda – the only player left capable of catching Carlsen – said afterwards: “I’m fairly satisfied.”