Carlsen Qualifies For SCC Finals In Paris, Will Play Niemann In Semifinals

GM Magnus Carlsen qualified for the Speed Chess Championship 2024 Semifinals, live in Paris on September 6, after defeating GM Arjun Erigaisi with a 12-9 score. He will play GM Hans Niemann in the next match, the first time they will meet for a game in-person since 2022, though they will play on a computer and not on a chessboard.

The last quarterfinal match will be GM Hikaru Nakamura vs. GM Ian Nepomniachtchi. That will be on Friday, August 9, starting at 3:00 p.m. ET / 21:00 CEST / 12:30 a.m. IST (August 10).

Speed Chess Championship 2024 Bracket 

Magnus Carlsen 12-9 Arjun Erigaisi

SmarterChess predicted a victory for Carlsen with 64 percent odds, anticipating Carlsen scoring two points more in each of the segments. After achieving a five-point lead in the first two segments, Carlsen took his foot off the gas in the bullet, but it was still enough to win the match.

• 5+1: Carlsen 4.5-2.5 Arjun
• 3+1: Carlsen 5-2 Arjun
• 1+1: Carlsen 2.5-4.5 Arjun

Blitz 5+1: Carlsen 4.5-2.5 Arjun

Carlsen took the early lead in the first segment, one that he was able to expand in the second. 

The match started with both players losing on time in the first three games. In game one, Carlsen was much better but didn't have to continue proving the advantage; in game three, after a draw, Carlsen was just one move away from forcing a queen trade and draw when his clock hit zero.

From there, however, the former world champion gained speed and strung together two wins. The first one was a model performance in how to play with an isolated pawn. After liquidating his weakness, the activity of his pieces overwhelmed the opponent. GM Rafael Leitao explains the Game of the Day from beginning to end below.

But Arjun returned the favor the next game, pouncing on the opportunity when Carlsen blundered a full knight with 43...Nxf4??.

In the last game of the segment, Arjun was a pawn up, but Black had full compensation with the bishop pair. GM Robert Hess  explained, "Arjun, he was trying his best to find a victory from a position that objectively was actually even," and it backfired. Carlsen went on to take advantage of his over-extended opponent, with his bishops raking across the open board.

Blitz 3+1: Carlsen 5-2 Arjun

The players traded blows for the first half of the segment, but in the second half Carlsen ballooned his lead to five points, 9.5-4.5.

After losing the first game, Carlsen came back in game two with a positional strangle, prompting Hess to comment, "This is strategic misery for Arjun Erigaisi... Black can hardly move." After Black's 17...f5, Carlsen took control of the dark squares on e5 and c5, targeting three black weaknesses, and eventually finished the game with a kingside attack.

Two games later, Arjun showed that he can outplay arguably history's greatest endgame player. Although he lost the match, he's 20 years old and improving—having jumped from world number-30 to number-four earlier this year.

Carlsen won the last three games of the segment to take a five-point lead. One of the nicest was his conversion of the following rook endgame, which the computer calls equal despite the extra pawn, but would be a nightmare to defend against the endgame maestro.

Carlsen gets the W from this "equal position." What would be the most likely result if you were playing?https://t.co/DrNbkeFC8K#SpeedChess pic.twitter.com/gejzcuLs2P

— chess24 (@chess24com) August 8, 2024

Bullet 1+1: Carlsen 2.5-4.5 Arjun

Perhaps feeling optimistic with a five-point lead, Carlsen fooled around quite a bit in this segment, playing opening ideas he might not try if the match were closer. Despite losing the bullet by two points, he still won the match by three.

His most adventurous idea came in game two, when he sacrificed his queen for two minor pieces and two pawns. He ultimately did reach a fortress, but when he opened his kingside with 35...h6, perhaps pushing for more, it backfired.

Another cavalier decision was playing 11.Ke2? in the final game, though Carlsen knew a loss would change nothing. While it's sometimes an idea if the center is closed, Arjun went on to hunt down that sitting duck.

Carlsen plays the delayed Bongcloud with two minutes left on the match clock!https://t.co/FL4JkLEo9x#SpeedChess pic.twitter.com/V9wDk1ynsg

— chess24 (@chess24com) August 8, 2024

Carlsen earns $7,857.14 while Arjun leaves the tournament with $2,142.86.

Carlsen was sullen in the interview. He said he wasn't feeling well after a sleepless night and that, for his standards, he didn't play well in the match.

Honestly, I came into this match feeling really poor, like I was barely able to sleep last night so I could've expected to play poorly and honestly I think my play was consistently quite meh throughout, so I don't feel like too much changed. Especially my play in time trouble was abysmal."

He said he watched Niemann's 30-minute interview the day before, but didn't have much to add—sharing that he's given his perspective in a documentary that's still to be released. As for their upcoming match, he'd prefer a different opponent, but: "He's playing quite well. I think if I have a decent day I'll probably win without too many issues."

Carlsen on Niemann's interview: "Nothing particularly new or surprising. I've sort of said my piece on camera in a documentary that's coming at some point."

"He's playing quite well. I think if I have a decent day I'll probably win without too many issues."#SpeedChess pic.twitter.com/ArItvxGWDw

— chess24 (@chess24com) August 8, 2024

He is keeping up with the Olympics in Paris, and his favorite sports to watch are track and field, basketball, and golf.

Lastly, Hess asked for his perspective about the last quarterfinal match, between Nakamura and Nepomniachtchi. Carlsen wasn't too excited: "If Ian plays anything like he's played the last few times he's played the Speed Chess Championship, he has absolutely no chance." He finished with, "I wouldn't hold my breath." 

You can listen to Nakamura's video recap of the match below.

The Speed Chess Championship is Chess.com's most important speed chess event. Some of the biggest names in chess compete to determine the best speed chess player in the world. The main event started with qualifiers on June 27 and 28 and concludes with the first-ever Final on September 8, live in Paris. The games are played with time controls of 5+1, 3+1, and 1+1. The prize fund is $173,000.

Previous reports:

• Niemann Advances To SCC Finals In Paris & Potential Match With Carlsen, Blasts 'Chess Establishment'
• Firouzja Scores Nearly Double Caruana, Qualifies For Paris Semifinals
• Niemann, Caruana Advance To Quarterfinals After Superior Bullet Performances
• Firouzja Fireworks Lead To Win Over Grischuk, So Outlasts Lazavik
• Carlsen Keeps It Classy, Nepomniachtchi Does A Houdini
• Arjun Prevails At The Final Turn, Nakamura Dominates
• Lazavik Qualifies For SCC Main Event, Goes Undefeated On Day 2
• Pranesh Tops Swiss Qualifier, 8 Players Move On To Knockout Stage
• Paris To Host Live Final Of 2024 Speed Chess Championship: Nakamura, Carlsen Confirmed