Carlsen Defeats Polgar In UNAM Final

The 2nd Gran Fiesta UNAM Chess festival took place from 16-25 November in Mexico City. The festival comprised of a number of competitions and displays including a 9-round Open event and a women's competition, but the highlight was the involvement of world #1 Magnus Carlsen.

Carlsen played against the 'The World" in an online match, and also took part in a rapid and blindfold tournament.

Unsuprisingly the world #1 won his game against The World (see below), and he also defeated Judit Polgar in the final of the rapid and blindfold tournament.

Carlsen and Polgar had eliminated Lazaro Bruzon and Manuel Leon Hoyos in the qualifying rounds en-route to the final, but the world #1 didn't have things all his own way.

Judit Polgar won the first game, beating Magnus Carlsen with black in their rapid clash, but Carlsen hit back to win the second encounter which was played blindfolded.

That meant blitz tie-breaks games were needed, and Carlsen won both games convincingly to take victory overall.

Judit Polgar and Manuel Leon Hoyos playing blindfolded (literally!)

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Magnus Carlsen defeated an online "World" team of all-comers

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Bartlomiej Macieja won the 9-round Open with 8½/9 and Olga Alexandrova won the women's competition.

Photos from the official website.  Games via the ever-reliable TWIC.