SlikeR Beats Ludwig, Makes Consolation Bracket Bet
The third round of the Chess.com PogChamps kicked off on Thursday, with Fuslie and NateHill battling for their championship bracket lives. While Erobb's match with Voyboy was postponed to this Saturday, Ludwig and SlikeR brought the trash talk in a single-game grudge match.
Group B is set to continue on Friday at 12:45 p.m. Pacific Time (21:45 Central Europe) as all eyes turn on MoistCr1tikal and Yassuo.
Make sure to tune into Chess.com's official day 8 coverage of the 2020 Chess.com PogChamps at 12:45 a.m. Pacific Time (21:45 Central Europe) on Chess.com/tv.
PogChamps Sees First Draw, NateHill Advances On CAPS
With both players needing a win, Fuslie and NateHill produced the PogChamps' first draw. Despite the peaceful results, the game featured numerous swings, with both players missing decisive chances to win.
♞ There's a chance to fork @NateHillTV's king and queen and @fuslie can't find it! Or can she? Yes! No! Yes! AHHHH!!! #PogChamps pic.twitter.com/fsKja7df3j
— Chess.com (@chesscom) June 11, 2020
After getting two queens, Fuslie let NateHill's passed pawn escape and promote, shifting the balance of the game. NateHill reached a winning endgame but was unable to find the needed mating net to win. When the dust settled, only kings remained.
The draw ensures Voyboy will win the group, even with a loss to Erobb this weekend. NateHill's superior average CAPS score was enough to see him claim his ticket to the championship bracket. Fuslie, now in the consolation bracket, will be one of the favorites to take the section.
Group A Standings
| # | Streamer | Points | |
| 1 | Voyboy | 6 | |
| 2 | NateHill | 4 | |
| 3 | fuslie | 4 | |
| 4 | erobb221 | 0 |
SlikeR Downs Ludwig In Exhibition Match
While SlikeR beat Ludwig over the board, Ludwig made it clear that he was holding his preparation for the consolation bracket. SlikeR missed a mate-in-one early, which gave Ludwig some life to keep the game going.
SlikeR, realizing that he missed the mate-in-one immediately, made it his mission to punish the American, taking nearly all his pieces and even savoring his final move:
♛ @Sliker has @LudwigAhgren cornered and milks the clock before checkmating him! 🤣🤣🤣 #PogChamps pic.twitter.com/kdkMbfKzAk
— Chess.com (@chesscom) June 11, 2020
Will these two play again? With both players destined for the consolation bracket, it's certainly possible. Should SlikeR beat xChocobars and Ludwig lose to Swiftor (or vice versa) in their final group stage games, the two will rematch in the quarterfinals. Otherwise, both players will likely need to reach the consolation bracket finals for a rematch.
As agreed on the broadcast, should the two meet again this tournament, the loser will allow the winner to send a tweet from their Twitter account. Don't expect the winner to hold back.
MoistCr1tikal Returns For Final Group Stage Test
Many will be wondering what MoistCr1tikal's prophet, coach Daniel Naroditsky, has in store for Yassuo. With his help, MoistCr1tikal produced the most viral moment of the PogChamps so far, checkmating xQc in just six moves. Yassuo should prove to be a much tougher test, as the League of Legends streamer nearly beat tournament favorite Hutch in the second round. Clocks will start at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time (22:00 Central Europe) on Chess.com/TV.
xQc Looks To Avenge Second Round Setback
xQc's much-anticipated return to the PogChamps will be against Group B's leader, Hutch. After losing in six moves against MoistCr1tikal, many players are looking for xQc to bounce back. While both players are a lock for their respective post-group stage fortunes, this will be an interesting test for both sides. The day's final game starts at 2 p.m. Pacific Time (23:00 Central Europe) on Chess.com/tv.
Still deciding who to root for in the first-ever Chess.com PogChamps? Here's a quick sampler of each streamer:
♜ Here's a preview of all the streamers competing in the https://t.co/EufIHuV7ha #Pogchamps! Starts in 1 hour on https://t.co/kaTA3dFcqn and https://t.co/qaLMGLOA9W ♜ pic.twitter.com/aqGbbRPjGq
— Chess.com (@chesscom) June 5, 2020
Make sure to tune into Chess.com's official day 8 coverage of the 2020 Chess.com PogChamps at 12:45 p.m. Pacific Time (21:45 Central Europe) on Chess.com/tv.
Previous reports:
- Forsen Clinches PogChamps Championship Bracket Spot
- MoistCr1tikal's 5head Preparation Secures Six Move Win In PogChamps
- NateHill Notches First Win In PogChamps
- Chess.com PogChamps: Boxbox Secures Win With Sacrifice
- Chess.com PogChamps: NymN, Yassuo Score Wins In Key Group Stage Clashes
- Chess.com PogChamps: Fuslie, Voyboy, and Hutch Star With Wins On Opening Day
