2017 Champions Showdown

final standings champions showdown 2017

9 - 14 November 2017






Round 1 -4 (Nov 9, 2017) TC: 30 0 Live Show 
Topalov, Veselin Nakamura, Hikaru ½-½ B12 Caro-Kann
Nakamura, Hikaru Topalov, Veselin 1-0 C26 Vienna
Topalov, Veselin Nakamura, Hikaru 1-0 B12 Caro-Kann
Nakamura, Hikaru Topalov, Veselin 1-0 C28 Vienna
Nakamura was considered by many to be the big favorite of this match. The first round of the match was a fairly tame affair and the players reached a draw without much fuss. The last three games were all very explosive and combative encounters as the players revved their engines and exchanged blows for the remaining of the day. Game two and four went Nakamura’s way, while the third game was a beautiful attacking masterpiece by Topalov.
Round 1 - 6 (Nov 10, 2017) TC: 20 0 Live Show 
Topalov, Veselin Nakamura, Hikaru 0-1 B90 Sicilian
Nakamura, Hikaru Topalov, Veselin ½-½ C26 Vienna
Topalov, Veselin Nakamura, Hikaru ½-½ B90 Sicilian
Nakamura, Hikaru Topalov, Veselin ½-½ D37 QGD
Topalov, Veselin Nakamura, Hikaru ½-½ B90 Sicilian
Nakamura, Hikaru Topalov, Veselin 1-0 E32 Nimzo-Indian
Nakamura mentioned during his interviews that he specifically chose Topalov to practice his more aggressive playing style against an opponent who never shies away from a fight. Today was certainly a vivid affair, with Nakamura essaying the Sicilian repeatedly. That being said, it truly was a day full of opportunities for Topalov, opportunities that he did not take advantage of. He had, throughout the day, winning attacks or chances to push in endgames, but he failed to convert them. Nakamura won the first game of the day and, strangely enough, was the only one that was decisive. Topalov’s biggest miss was certainly in the third game (a game that he would normally have won blindfolded) though losing when he was up a piece for basically nothing in the last game was also remarkable.
Round 1 - 8 (Nov 11, 2017) TC: 10 0 Live Show 
Topalov, Veselin Nakamura, Hikaru 0-1 B90 Sicilian
Nakamura, Hikaru Topalov, Veselin 0-1 D31 QGD
Topalov, Veselin Nakamura, Hikaru 0-1 D37 QGD
Nakamura, Hikaru Topalov, Veselin 0-1 D31 QGD
Topalov, Veselin Nakamura, Hikaru ½-½ B90 Sicilian
Nakamura, Hikaru Topalov, Veselin ½-½ D31 QGD
Topalov, Veselin Nakamura, Hikaru ½-½ B90 Sicilian
Nakamura, Hikaru Topalov, Veselin ½-½ A30 English
In a strange series of results, the black pieces won the first four games of this match on the third day! Aggressive play prevailed throughout, with many exchange sacrifices being thrown around and Nakamura's pawns seeming to roll down the board when he wasn't getting mated! In a fabulous display of sportsmanship, Topalov, in a drawn position, offered to split the point in game five when Nakamura only had one second left, while Nakamura returned the favor soon after! The day was split, and Nakamura continues with a huge advantage going into the blitz.
Round 1 - 12 (Nov 12, 2017) TC: 5 0 Live Show 
Topalov, Veselin Nakamura, Hikaru 0-1 D37 QGD
Nakamura, Hikaru Topalov, Veselin 1-0 A01 Nimzovich-Larsen attack
Topalov, Veselin Nakamura, Hikaru 0-1 E97 King's Indian
Nakamura, Hikaru Topalov, Veselin 1-0 A07 Reti
Topalov, Veselin Nakamura, Hikaru ½-½ D11 QGD Slav
Nakamura, Hikaru Topalov, Veselin 1-0 A07 Reti
Topalov, Veselin Nakamura, Hikaru ½-½ D37 QGD
Nakamura, Hikaru Topalov, Veselin 1-0 B13 Caro-Kann
Topalov, Veselin Nakamura, Hikaru 0-1 E97 King's Indian
Nakamura, Hikaru Topalov, Veselin 1-0 A07 Reti
Topalov, Veselin Nakamura, Hikaru ½-½ B90 Sicilian
Nakamura, Hikaru Topalov, Veselin 1-0 C26 Vienna
One can very strongly argue that the result of the match did not reflect how close the games were, as we saw combative and active chess. That being said, Nakamura finished the day with double the amount of points of Topalov, clinched the match after only three of today's twelve rounds, and proved very clearly who was the better player. Nakamura's resourcefulness and speed in the fast time controls simply smashed his opponent all day.