CHENNAI: Magnus Carlsen won the Aimchess US Rapid crown after a clinical performance against Vladislav Artemiev. The World Champion now marches into next month's $300,000 Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Final top of the leaderboard and in top form.
Having secured the Aimchess US Rapid, Carlsen takes home the $30,000 first prize. He has won three of the eight Tour events he entered and racked up total earnings of over $215,000.
Carlsen had won the first match decisively on Day 1 and carried that advantage through to Sunday's second match. It took just three games in the second for the Norwegian to brush aside his 23-year-old opponent. Artemiev, the world number 39, simply wasn't given a chance.
Right from the start Carlsen was on top. He launched a swift attack in the first game and broke through to go 1-0 up. Artemiev - playing in his second Tour final - tried to resist, but found himself low on time and collapsed under pressure. It left the Russian - who has been the breakout star of the Tour - needing to win at least two of the next three games just to force a tiebreak.
In the second, Artemiev played powerfully and forced Carlsen onto the defensive. But his advantage evaporated when time trouble told again and the Russian had to settle for a draw. Artemiev, with a mountain to climb, now had to win or Carlsen would be crowned champion. Artemiev went all-out attack, but there was no way through. Carlsen maintained complete control and broke through to clinch the title in style. The match ended 2.5-0.5 and Carlsen won 2-0 overall. "It feels great," Carlsen said afterwards. "It's the first time, in like, ever that I've won one of these Tour events and it's been a fairly smooth ride. So it's been good!"
Asked whether his performance in this event was the best of the Tour so far, Carlsen said: "I would say so for sure." He added: "I'm feeling good. I'm playing quicker and more confidently, so that's good."
Artemiev has been super-impressive in the Tour, playing only three events and made two finals and a semi. He also now progresses to the Tour Final as one of the top eight.
