Nakamura takes his third Gibraltar chess title after thrilling sudden-death play-off
There was an exciting finish to the Masters competition in the Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Festival, as the two top seeds had to battle it out in a playoff.
Defending champion and twice-winner Hikaru Nakamura from the USA and French Grand Master Maxime Vachier-Lagrave finished level on eight points apiece after the ten rounds of the tournament and after a short rest, took their places at the table once again for a sudden death, timed shoot-out.
Even then it went to the wire, with the players drawing the first four matches, before the so-called “Armageddon”, winner-takes-all decider. Eventually it was Nakamura who triumphed, taking his third Gibraltar title and 20 thousand pounds top prize.
The 15 thousand pounds first prize in the women’s event went to 26-year-old Anna Muzychuk from Ukraine.
Source: http://www.gbc.gi
It was a heartbreaking loss for MVL. Even for a novice like me, I think he blundered away a dead-even game. Hikaru was lucky because up to that time, the position, I think, was even. Anyway, congratulations are in order for Hikaru.