2017 Champions Showdown

final standings champions showdown 2017

9 - 14 November 2017






Round 1 - 4 (Nov 9, 2017) TC: 30 0 Live Show 
So, Wesley Dominguez Perez, Leinier ½-½ C65 Ruy Lopez
Dominguez Perez, Leinier So, Wesley ½-½ C65 Ruy Lopez
So, Wesley Dominguez Perez, Leinier ½-½ C65 Ruy Lopez
Dominguez Perez, Leinier So, Wesley 1-0 C65 Ruy Lopez
This was arguably the least exciting match due to the extremely solid style of both of these players. The match saw four consecutive Berlin openings and the match seemed to be heading toward a 2-2 result until the very last moments of the day. In game four, Dominguez pressured his opponent and was heading toward a comfortable win. But then, the situation became complicated due to the time control. In a severe time scramble, So made the final error and allowed Dominguez to take the lead heading into day two of the event.
Round 1 - 6 (Nov 10, 2017) TC: 20 0 Live Show 
So, Wesley Dominguez Perez, Leinier ½-½ C65 Ruy Lopez
Dominguez Perez, Leinier So, Wesley 1-0 C11 French
So, Wesley Dominguez Perez, Leinier 0-1 C65 Ruy Lopez
Dominguez Perez, Leinier So, Wesley 0-1 C42 Petrov
So, Wesley Dominguez Perez, Leinier 0-1 C65 Ruy Lopez
Dominguez Perez, Leinier So, Wesley ½-½ C42 Petrov
The match that was by far the most solid yesterday turned on its head, as it became a frantic battle in the second day. Dominguez established early superiority, winning game two against the French and then striking again with the black pieces in the Berlin in game three. Wesley finally took matters in his own hands right after that, essaying the Petroff but playing it for a win! Nice technique allowed him to convert. The most controversial game of the day was certainly the fifth. So was up a pawn - but more importantly he had seven seconds against Dominguez’s five! In the time scramble, the American hesitated, pieces started to fly, rooks controlled what seemed to be four squares at a time, but So’s flag fell first and the game went to the Cuban. This heavily increases the lead for Dominguez, who is now up 13 points.
Round 1 - 8 (Nov 11, 2017) TC: 10 0 Live Show 
So, Wesley Dominguez Perez, Leinier ½-½ D35 QGD
Dominguez Perez, Leinier So, Wesley ½-½ C11 French
So, Wesley Dominguez Perez, Leinier ½-½ D35 QGD
Dominguez Perez, Leinier So, Wesley ½-½ C11 French
So, Wesley Dominguez Perez, Leinier 0-1 E06 Catalan
Dominguez Perez, Leinier So, Wesley 0-1 B12 Caro-Kann
So, Wesley Dominguez Perez, Leinier 1-0 E06 Catalan
Dominguez Perez, Leinier So, Wesley 0-1 C19 French
The Cuban grandmaster entered the third day with a large advantage and, even though he keeps it after day three, it certainly has decreased a bit. After splitting the first three games of the day, Dominguez struck first and it, like the Grischuk-Caruana match, seemed to be a one-sided affair. But just like the other match, So scored three wins in a row to finish the day and So has a realistic chance of turning the match around in the final day.
Round 1 - 12 (Nov 12, 2017) TC: 5 0 Live Show 
So, Wesley Dominguez Perez, Leinier 1-0 A01 Nimzovich-Larsen attack
Dominguez Perez, Leinier So, Wesley 0-1 D05 Queen's pawn game
So, Wesley Dominguez Perez, Leinier ½-½ A01 Nimzovich-Larsen attack
Dominguez Perez, Leinier So, Wesley 0-1 D05 Queen's pawn game
So, Wesley Dominguez Perez, Leinier 1-0 D02 Queen's bishop game
Dominguez Perez, Leinier So, Wesley ½-½ C11 French
So, Wesley Dominguez Perez, Leinier 1-0 A13 English opening
Dominguez Perez, Leinier So, Wesley 1-0 C42 Petrov
So, Wesley Dominguez Perez, Leinier 1-0 D02 Queen's bishop game
Dominguez Perez, Leinier So, Wesley ½-½ B12 Caro-Kann
So, Wesley Dominguez Perez, Leinier 1-0 E92 King's Indian
Dominguez Perez, Leinier So, Wesley 1-0 C19 Pirc defence
It seemed like the comeback story of Caruana would be the focus of attention of the day, but So had something to say about that. Trailing by 16 points with three games to go yesterday, So was simply a complete monster in the second half of the g/10 and all throughout today. Obtaining huge advantages on the clock and combining it with powerful and precise play, So turned the match around and even won the head-to-head with a full round to spare. Dominguez proved superiority in the rapid, but it was all So in the blitz. On an interesting note So was so focused on banging the clock and putting that pressure on his opponent, that Carlsen requested that this match be played as far away from his board as possible, since it was distracting! So at some pointed even started bleeding from hitting the clock so hard, which forced the arbiters to pause the game and wipe the clock.