For the first time ever, GM Hikaru Nakamura will not be playing in the Speed Chess Championship Final. GM Alireza Firouzja is the first player not named Magnus Carlsen to defeat him since the tournament’s inception, and the French number-one won in one-sided fashion, 16-11.
World number-one Carlsen defeated GM Hans Niemann 17.5-12.5 to move on to the the title match as well. After dominating the 5+1 portion, they had an equal score in the 3+1, but the former world champion racked up a 10-point lead at one point in the bullet to clinch it.
The consolation match between Nakamura and Niemann will take place on Saturday, September 7, starting at 12:00 p.m. ET / 18:00 CEST / 9:30 p.m. IST. The title match, between Firouzja and Carlsen, will be on Sunday.
Speed Chess Championship 2024 Bracket
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