So drops semis opener to Giri in Magnus Carlsen Invitational

Grandmaster Wesley So failed to sustain a strong start as he lost to Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri, 2.5-1.5, in the first match of their semifinal tie in the 2021 Meltwater Champions Tour Magnus Carlsen Invitational on Friday morning, March 19 (Manila time).

The Cavite-born So thwarted Giri in 32 moves of the Berlin Defence in the first game before settling for a draw with the white piece in the next game.

However, the Meltwater Champions leader from the US dropped the last two games as Giri completed a comeback to move on the cusp of his first finals appearance in the Tour.

Reigning world classical, blitz and rapid champion Magnus Carlsen, from whom the leg was named, also suffered a stunner to Candidates leader Ian Nepomniachtchi, 2.5-1.5,

The top Russian player Nepomniachtchi broke through with the black pieces in the third game to grab the lead over the Norwegian world titlist to inch closer to the finals.

So, who ruled the Skilling Open and the Opera Euro Rapid, and Carlsen will need to bounce back in the second day of the semifinals on Saturday, March 20.

A win by So and Carlsen in the second match would lead to tiebreaks composed of blitz games and an Armageddon playoff if needed.