Wesley So Wins 2022 FIDE Grand Prix Berlin Leg 3 Final

FM chansen64

Updated: Apr 8, 2022, 3:26 PM | 38 | Chess Event Coverage

With draws in both of the two classical games, American GMs Hikaru Nakamura and Wesley So were set to decide who would win the third and final leg of the 2022 FIDE Grand Prix in a rapid-play tiebreaker. After an intense draw in the first rapid game, So showed excellent technique to squeeze a win out of a rather even position in game two to win the tiebreaker and, with that, the final.

How to watch?
You can follow the games of the 2022 FIDE Grand Prix on our Events page. Chess.com is providing daily commentary on Chess.com/TV, Twitch, and YouTube. Find all of Chess.com's live broadcasts at Youtube.com/ChesscomLive.

Unlike the games with the classical time control, the rapid-play tiebreaker saw long, intense games where So showed the right mix of defensive skills, durability, and excellent play. As Nakamura said after the game: "I didn't have much energy and didn't really play great today."

Rapid Game 1: Nakamura-So

For the tiebreaker, Nakamura was playing White in the first game and once more opted for 1.e4, but after So's 1...e5, Nakamura went for the Vienna Game, clearly indicating his willingness to fight.

However, after tepid play by White, it was clear that Black had equalized. Still, the situation soon got worse, sliding into a clearly worse position. This, however, does not mean that Nakamura had been beaten or was even being close to being beaten.

Nakamura had excellent chances in game one. Photo: World Chess.

Little by little, Nakamura crawled back into the game, and when Black played 28...Nb3, White gained a massive attack against Black's king. White sacrificed a knight on g7, which seemed decisive, but when the follow-up was less precise and So consistently found a series of only moves, Black escaped the worst and eventually into a drawn rook ending. A fantastic game to open the tiebreaker.

Rapid Game 2: So-Nakamura

Like in the second classical game of the final, the second game of the tiebreaker featured a Berlin Variation of the Ruy Lopez, although according to the players, it was not a tribute to the host city. In the second game, it was So playing the white pieces, but unlike Nakamura yesterday, he did not opt for the "forced draw" variation of the Berlin, but rather a careful attempt at playing for an edge.

The second game featured a Berlin. Photo: World Chess.

Nevertheless, Nakamura managed to equalize. So decided to unbalance the game by accepting an isolated doubled d-pawn in order to exert some pressure on Black's position. It gave a little but not much. However, Nakamura, perhaps worn out from two weeks on chess in Berlin and online, could not maintain a defensive pose, and while under increasing pressure, he blundered a piece. So converted the advantage flawlessly.

Both players pose for a picture after the game. Photo: World Chess.

Results

All Games - Final Tiebreaks

FIDE Grand Prix Berlin was the final leg of the 2022 Grand Prix. The Berlin tournament took place March 22-April 4.

Previous reports:

Wesley So Wins 2022 FIDE Grand Prix Berlin Leg 3 Final

After Blunder By So In 4th Game, Nakamura Wins The American Cup

Krush Extends Queenship, Wesley So Defeats Nakamura In Tiebreaker