Two-time United States champion Wesley So dispatched Iran-born Alireza Firouzja with ease to cruise into the semifinals of the Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Magnus Invitational Thursday, March 18.
It was a one-sided affair as the 27-year-old So scored a pair of 2.5-0.5 demolition of the 17-year-old Firouzja in their two-set quarterfinal affair that set him up semis duel with Dutch Anish Giri on Friday, March 19.
Giri, for his part, eliminated Maxime Vachier-Lagrave.
The win also kept So, the world Fischer-Random king, on course of a third title after his impressive triumphs in the Skilling Open last December and the Opera Euro Rapid last month while keeping his stranglehold of the overall tour lead.
Like So, world classical titlist Magnus Carlsen was merciless as he clobbered Armenia-born Levon Aronian to advance to the next round against Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi.
Nepomniachtchi eliminated American Hikaru Nakamura, 3-1, after their first set match wound up in a 2-2 deadlock the day before.
While So avoided a tough matchup against Vachier-Lagrave, Carlsen will tackle a dangerous foe in Nepomniachtchi, a player whom the Norwegian always has a tough time facing.