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GM Aronian knocks out Wesley So

Sports

GM Aronian knocks out Wesley So

By Kristel Satumbaga-Villar

Wesley So

Two-time United States champion Wesley So succumbed to Armenia-born Levon Aronian in the quarterfinals to crash out in the Newa in Chess Classic of the Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Thursday, April 29.

So, 27, failed to come through after drawing the first two games and losing the third that sealed Aronian the match victory.

Aronian won the first of their two-set quarters duel Wednesday, 3-1, that included a match where So committed a costly mouse slip.

That fateful error proved to be the turning point of the showdown as So was never really the same from there.

With the win, Aronian moved on to a collision course in Friday’s semifinal with world classical champion Magnus Carlson, who turned back an upset-conscious Teimour Radjabov of Azerbaijan.

The other semifinal pairing pits Azerbaijan’s Shakhriyar Mamedyarov against American Hikaru Nakamura.

Mamedyarov eliminated Iran-born Alireza Firouzja while Nakamura smashed Vietnamese Le Quang Liem.

So’s exit puts him in danger of losing his grip on the overall tour lead especially with Carlsen currently running a close second.

The loss also failed So to follow up his title victories in the Skilling Open last November and the Opera Euro Rapid in February.

Related Tags

Wesley So Levon Aronian New in Chess Classic

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