Speed chess expert Hikaru Nakamura bulldozed his way into the semi-finals today to open up the chance of a mouth-watering clash with Magnus Carlsen. The American, the world's top blitz player, made short work of Levon Aronian as he crushed the Armenian 3-1 in their Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge mini-match and 2-0 overall.
Nakamura, already ahead in the tie after winning on Saturday, raced into the lead with a first game win in today's second best-of-three rubber.
"Absolutely monstrous play by Hikaru!" said IM Tania Sachdev in the commentary box. Two draws followed before the American overpowered a desperate Aronian in the fourth to take the mini-match and go through.
Nakamura may now face Carlsen - if the World Champion can get past Wesley So. On potentially meeting Carlsen in the semis, he said: "I'm very lucky. I get three days off, so I have time to prepare!"
The other quarter-final being played out was a much trickier affair. China's Yu Yangyi, who went into today with the advantage, quickly fell behind against countryman Ding Liren.
Two draws followed before a vital game 4 which Ding steered towards a safe draw. With a 2.5-1.5 win the match is leveled and now goes to a decider on Wednesday.
The event, which runs until June 3, is being put on in association with the Lindores Abbey Heritage Society, which maintains the historic site.
Coverage begins with commentary in 10 languages at 16.00 CEST.
You can watch it live here
New files at around 23.00 CEST.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Leon Watson
leon@chessable.com
+447786 078770
