Draw In Game 1: 2022 FIDE Grand Prix Berlin Leg 3, Final Day 1
With clear victories in Friday's tiebreakers, American GMs Hikaru Nakamura and Wesley So were set to meet in the final of the third leg of the 2022 FIDE Grand Prix series.
The first game of the final, with So playing the white pieces, saw the combatants play a relatively short and correct draw in a line both of them knew exceedingly well.
The second game of the final will take place Sunday, April 3, at 6 a.m. Pacific / 15:00 Central Europe.
You can follow the games of the 2022 FIDE Grand Prix on our Events page. Chess.com is providing daily commentary on Chess.com/TV, Twitch, and YouTube. Find all of Chess.com's live broadcasts at Youtube.com/ChesscomLive.
For the first game of the final, So had the white pieces and opted for 1.d4. Nakamura on his part, used the Nimzo-Indian Defense, one of his primary defenses against 1.d4.
Soon the players were heading down a path they have explored before, both on their own and against each other. In fact, at least the first 20 moves seemed like preparation from both sides, even if it was only with his 27th move that So departed from prior praxis. Coincidentally, it seemed like his best chance for an advantage was exactly on the 27th move, but once the opportunity was gone, the game fizzled further, and a draw was agreed to on move 30.
However, after the game, neither player was too convinced that White ever had anything, but So was more surprised that Nakamura had gone for this precise line when Black has several alternatives that give White less opportunity to put pressure on Black.
Results
FIDE Grand Prix Berlin is the final leg of the 2022 Grand Prix. The Berlin tournament takes place March 22-April 4. Tune in at 6 a.m. Pacific/15:00 CET each day for our broadcast.
Previous reports:
- Nakamura, So To Meet In Final: 2022 FIDE Grand Prix Berlin Leg 3, Semifinals Tiebreaks
- Nakamura Early Winner Of Series: 2022 FIDE Grand Prix Berlin Leg 3, Semifinals Day 2
- Wesley So Wins First Game: 2022 FIDE Grand Prix Berlin Leg 3, Semifinals Day 1
- Mamedyarov, So Win Groups: 2022 FIDE Grand Prix Berlin Leg 3, Group Tiebreaks
- Nakamura, Rapport In For FIDE Candidates: 2022 FIDE Grand Prix Berlin Leg 3, Round 6
- Nakamura Wins Again, Leads With Aronian: 2022 FIDE Grand Prix Berlin Leg 3, Round 5
- Nakamura Wins On Demand: 2022 FIDE Grand Prix Berlin Leg 3, Round 4
- 2022 FIDE Grand Prix Berlin Leg 3, R3: Keymer Wins, Nakamura Escapes
- 2022 FIDE Grand Prix Berlin Leg 3, R2: 8 Draws
- 2022 FIDE Grand Prix Berlin Leg 3, R1: 4 Wins, Fighting Chess
- FIDE Grand Prix 2022: All The Information
