So Captures First Knockout Victory in Bullet Playoff

The knockout started with the Swiss winner, Sevian, drawing against Maghsoodloo in a very evenly-fought rapid game. They also drew in their blitz tiebreaker, repeating moves in an equal ending. In the bullet playoff, Sevian set up all his pieces on powerful locations in his opponent’s position on all sides of the board and soon checkmated.

Paravyan held an amazing draw against Matlakov in their rapid game. Paravyan fought out the last 25+ moves of the game with just seconds on the clock while Matlakov had nearly two minutes.

Their blitz tiebreaker was equal throughout, leading to a draw. In their bullet playoff, Matlakov overcame by using his rook on the seventh, supported by a passed d-pawn, and his queen to checkmate.

Andreikin defeated Grischuk with incredible technique in the rook ending.

So created a monster knight on d5, and soon his pieces rolled Esipenko’s pieces practically off the board.

Sevian kicked off the semifinals with a quick draw against Matlakov in the rapid, aiming to take his chances with black in the blitz playoff. Sevian came through, saving a worse endgame and then flipping it into a victory.

So declined a draw in the ending against Andreikin and then accurately converted his better position into victory. 

The Sevian vs. So final started with a hard-fought game, full of dynamic play, that ended in a draw. 

After reaching an equal position out of the opening, So offered a draw in the blitz tiebreaker. In the bullet playoff, he gained an extra pawn and, as he pressed in the ending, Sevian blundered a knight.

So played convincing, impregnable chess throughout all of his matches. In his interview, he shared his approach to the games and the different time controls:

To be honest, I just wanted to play it safe in every game. I don’t usually play well in the Sunday section. Before, I would be too ambitious and just get a totally worse position with white. It almost happened in the blitz game with Sam. I quickly offered a draw and fortunately, he accepted.

I just wanted to play it safe and keep my chances alive. I think in bullet if you’re not playing Hikaru, I think the chances are 50/50. You have a decent chance. As long as you haven’t lost the game yet, you still have life. You can keep the game going.

I just wanted to play it safe and keep my chances alive. 

-Wesley So

The winner of the Swiss tournament is Sevian, and the winner of the knockout tournament is So. Below are the full standings and prizes of the knockout:

Sunday Knockout | Final Standings