Latest news with #LowerBracket
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First Post
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
Hans Niemann hits back at critics after 'hate-watching' accusations at Freestyle Chess event: 'What would you call...'
Hans Niemann has slammed critics who questioned his celebration while watching Magnus Carlsen's elimination from the Freestyle Chess event in Las Vegas, reminding them of the struggles he has faced since being labelled a cheater by the world No. 1. read more Controversial American Grandmaster Hans Niemann has hit back at the critics who have accused him of 'hate-watching' Magnus Carlsen's defeat to Levon Aronian as the world No.1 was eliminated from the title race at the Las Vegas Freestyle Chess Grand Slam. Niemann was seen celebrating Carlsen's downfall as he let out animated expressions while being in the commentary booth with GM David Howell and IM Tania Sachdev. 'There are very few pleasures in life that compare to this feeling,' Niemann had said in the commentary booth as Aronian defeated Carlsen in the fourth-spot tie-breaker. 'You know what they say, karma is a…. I don't want to finish the sentence. Levon, I'm taking you to dinner tonight,' he added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Niemann slams Carlsen's fans With a defeat to Aronian, Carlsen was relegated to the Lower Bracket quarter-finals and his fans vented out their frustration on Niemann and his celebrations. The 22-year-old Niemann has now hit out at the fans for making accusations against him and reminding them of his struggles since he was labelled a cheat by Carlsen. 'If you think I was hate watching yesterday, what would you call what I've experienced the past three years?' Niemann wrote on X. If you think I was hate watching yesterday. What would you call what I've experienced the past 3 years? — Hans Niemann (@HansMokeNiemann) July 17, 2025 Meanwhile, Niemann, who was accused of cheating over the board by Carlsen in 2022 at the Sinquefield Cup, has enjoyed a highly successful tournament in Las Vegas, reaching the final of the Freestyle Chess event, a tournament which is co-owned by Carlsen. Niemann defeated fellow American GM Fabiano Caruana 2.5-1.5 in the semi-finals, scripting a memorable run and upsetting the odds. He is set to face Aronian in the mega final. Aronian reached the final by defeating Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi in the semis. Carlsen, however, is still fighting for the third spot, despite being put out of the title race. Carlsen defeated India's R Praggnanandhaa and Erigaisi in classification matches to qualify for the third spot against Hikaru Nakamura. The winner will take home a mega prize of $100,000. The winner of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Las Vegas leg will earn $200,000.
United News of India
18-07-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
Erigaisi reaches SFs, Praggnanandhaa edged out
Las Vegas, July 18 (UNI) A new chapter will be written in the Arjun Erigaisi–Levon Aronian saga as the Indian Grandmaster stormed into the semifinals of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour, defeating Uzbekistan's Nodirbek Abdusattorov 1.5-0.5 in just two games of the 30'+30" time control. Arjun, with this win, became the first Indian ever to reach the semifinals stage of a Freestyle Grand Slam Tour event. The first game against Abdusattorov was drawn after a tense positional struggle. However, in the second game, Arjun capitalised on a questionable exchange sacrifice by the Uzbek prodigy. A later knight trade further widened the material gap, and despite stiff resistance, Arjun converted the advantage into a crucial victory. With this, Arjun has set up a highly anticipated clash with seasoned American GM Levon Aronian, who got past Hikaru Nakamura 2.5-1.5 in their semifinal encounter. Meanwhile, in arguably the most thrilling quarterfinal battle of the event, R Praggnanandhaa and Fabiano Caruana (USA) exchanged victories across six games in three time controls — 30'+30", 10'+10", and 5'+2". The marathon eventually culminated in an Armageddon game where Caruana prevailed, securing a spot in the semifinals. Hans Niemann (USA) also made headlines by eliminating Javokhir Sindarov (UZB), ensuring his place in the semifinals, where he will face Caruana. In the Lower Bracket, Magnus Carlsen (NOR) demonstrated vintage dominance as he blanked Vidit Gujrathi 2-0. Carlsen now awaits his next opponent from among the Upper Bracket Quarterfinal losers in the Lower Bracket QF. The Upper Bracket semifinals and Lower Bracket quarterfinal Game 1 are scheduled to begin today at 10:30 pm IST. UNI BDN BM
