Hikaru Nakamura vs Wei Yi | Chess at EWC 25 - Day 2 - Group Stage

0:00 Wayu Gaming, but it has to be said.

0:02 Weii on this stage just now honestly did look like an absolute fortress.

0:09 Nothing was getting past him.

0:10 The time control was really good.

0:12 Uh he's he kept stoic throughout.

0:15 Even when he had his time advantage erased, he managed to build it up again.

0:20 Nothing's getting past him right now.

0:22 And he's on a very very good day where

0:24 Yei stepped it up so much today compared to yesterday.

0:27 He looked very very good in the previous encounter.

0:29 And slightly ominous for Hikaru is that in groups A and B,

0:34 it was the person who rose up who did fight the earlier

0:37 match who went on to win the second match as well.

0:41 He's fully warmed up.

0:42 He is.

0:42 And he's got to be high on that confidence, right?

0:44 Not just the score line, but the quality of his play.

0:47 So incredibly strong.

0:48 A clean sweep 2 against Cinderov.

0:50 You know, he's up against the beast.

0:52 He's up against world number two.

0:54 Hikaru Nakamura is the most battle tested player in the chess world.

0:58 So he knows what it takes.

0:59 He knows what's on the line.

1:00 And you know what's extra motivation for Hikaru?

1:02 His teammate Alira Fuja.

1:04 He's up there already in the quarterfinals.

1:06 That's got to be something that's going to inspire him to be

1:09 the one to make it there as well cuz there is rivalry there too.

1:13 But let's talk about the head-to-head you saw earlier.

1:15 Both players obviously comfortably as far as Rapid

1:17 is concerned in the world top 10.

1:19 Weii is up there as well.

1:21 their previous record 1 to1.

1:23 It's not like it's a landslide.

1:25 It's not like it's one-way traffic.

1:27 Nakamura comes into this game as one of the favorites,

1:30 but is he only the favorite by a slender margin?

1:33 Yeah, it's a tricky one.

1:34 Hikaru, we just associate him with dominance, with victories.

1:38 Rapid has maybe been the one area he's been

1:41 so good at classical for so many years now.

1:43 He's been dominant at blitz for ages, for longer than most of us can remember.

1:47 But Rapid uh that is a tricky middle ground.

1:51 And we see the Catalan opening at the early stages here.

1:54 Hikaru starting with white.

1:55 This promises solid play.

1:57 We see a hit on the bishop.

1:59 Bishop returning.

2:00 White is going to fetto.

2:01 He's going to put a bishop on G2, get castled soon.

2:04 And we're going to see a slower phase of the game.

2:06 This is definitely a strategic battle.

2:08 You know, something we've been seeing from Hikaru Nakamura in the recent years.

2:11 Traditionally known for his aggression,

2:13 known for that combative, entertaining chess,

2:15 but has taken a more solid approach in the recent past.

2:19 And I think the Catalan, it's such a rich opening, right, David?

2:21 Because it starts slow, but eventually builds into these long grinds,

2:25 these complicated end games sometimes,

2:27 and it's all about getting that central pawn moving

2:29 up for white if he can strike with E4,

2:31 or will it be black who will be able to strike with a C5 before that happens?

2:37 Yep.

2:37 Instead, the white bishop improves itself,

2:39 creating a square for the white knight to land on D2.

2:42 And just to point out your plan, Tanya, E4 is the break we're looking for.

2:46 uh these positions often for the first 15

2:49 20 moves all the pieces are on the board.

2:51 10 moves later could just be barely anything left.

2:54 A very different match we have here by moves seven or eight.

2:57 Uh previously we were having situations where

3:00 players had burned minutes on their clock.

3:02 Weii using a matter of seconds to get here.

3:05 Uh only now is Nakamura about to drop down

3:07 below the 9minute mark and were already on move 12.

3:11 So, the players blitzing through the opening, uh,

3:14 maybe saving their time for some tactical middle game decisions that are

3:17 bound to be coming in in the next couple of minutes,

3:20 but no one looking uncomfortable so far.

3:22 This is all very, very familiar territory for both players.

3:25 Catalan is one of the most played openings at the top level.

3:28 So many world championship matches.

3:30 So, definitely something the players are familiar with.

3:32 But all the subtleties, all the nuances that exist,

3:34 you see that Hikaru wincing a little bit, trying to remember how to handle

3:38 this particular opening development that we taken.

3:41 Speaking about being uncomfortable, probably not on the board, but I wonder,

3:44 you know, yesterday Hikaru with Tyler mentioned, I might want to play Weii.

3:48 He's slightly weaker compared to Ali Resa finally,

3:50 who he did meet in that matchup.

3:52 Wonder if we heard that interview.

3:56 Well, yes, but on the one hand, like it it's very difficult not to put

4:01 Fuja above Weii in any power ranking list here.

4:05 So, was it meant as trash talk or is that objective reality?

4:09 One thing's for sure, Wayi is out now to prove that regardless

4:12 of your intention when saying that, it's not true.

4:16 It's game on.

4:17 Yeah, we will find out very, very shortly.

4:18 And Hikaru looking up, looking for inspiration potentially.

4:22 Black's position is rock solid at some point

4:24 to make progress to make use of the white pieces, you need a breakthrough.

4:28 Whether that is going for the central pawn break we highlighted a moment ago,

4:31 pushing the E pawn to E4, trying to open lines, trying to fight for the center,

4:36 or whether it's uh on other parts of the board.

4:38 Hikaru needs a plan of action, but it's costing him a bit of time.

4:41 And we saw what happened to Cinderov in the previous

4:43 encounters when he went low on time against Wayi.

4:45 And who had Weii going up by a minute on the clock first on their bingo card?

4:49 That's what I want to know right now.

4:51 Oh, nobody.

4:52 That is uh for sure.

4:53 And in the meantime, Hikaru does find a breakthrough.

4:55 And this is very very sneaky,

4:57 very opportunistic as well because the black bishop on A6 is the key detail.

5:03 It is hanging.

5:04 And uh just to show on our analysis board, the green board on our right here.

5:08 If you take that pawn that did just move two squares, capture it again.

5:11 You can no longer take it with your bishop.

5:13 An attack is opened up from the white rook to the light

5:16 square bishop on A6 and white would go up a piece.

5:19 So Hikaru, he is playing on a square that did look covered.

5:23 He's breaking through on the queen side.

5:25 And if we go back, suddenly the three pawn wall,

5:28 I'm going to say here on B4, C4, and D4 look fantastic for Hikaru.

5:34 It's looking good.

5:34 You know, he he took advantage of that moment,

5:36 the the second where he transported his rook from A8 to C8,

5:40 losing connection with that bishop.

5:42 Hikaru realized this is my window of opportunity to strike

5:45 with B4 and he goes in and he might not stop there.

5:48 E4 as well, always in the air.

5:51 For a Catalan player,

5:52 the dream is to get that fancet light squareed bishop active.

5:56 Get it on the open diagonal.

5:57 Break that wall that D5 has built at the center.

6:01 And if that happens, it's advantage white.

6:03 And you've hit the nail on the head there, Tanya, psychologically as well.

6:07 If we needed confirmation that B4 was the idea that would uh uh

6:11 maybe bring Nakamura back into the game in terms of initiative and thinking

6:15 way just used that entire minute and then some that he had

6:19 in time advantage and he has now played the knight out to H5,

6:24 but it took him nearly 90 seconds to get there.

6:27 So giving that move a lot of respect

6:29 and really carefully thinking about the consequences here.

6:33 Guaranteed that way he missed that one.

6:34 just took him a bit of time for to recover.

6:36 Ultimately, it doesn't change the balance too much.

6:39 It looks very pleasant aesthetically for white with the three pawns there.

6:43 But Weii plays another typical motif.

6:45 Very well known in the Catalan here.

6:47 He hunts down white's dark squared bishop.

6:49 The bishop on F4 attacked by a knight

6:52 that would also cause the white pawns to be doubled.

6:54 Usually, you want to run away with this bishop,

6:56 but not too many attractive squares to uh to move to.

7:00 So, Wei Yi forcing Hikaru back into the tank.

7:03 Feels like a bit of a KG one.

7:05 Both both players just investing a lot of time.

7:08 A thematic idea there by way.

7:10 And it also sort of forces says, you know, you want to defend your bishop.

7:13 You'll be forced into passivity.

7:15 Fall back one square.

7:16 But that comes in the way of your own e2 pawn.

7:18 Bishop to E3 is the move that you really want to make.

7:20 Make sure that you're not allowing that trade on F4.

7:22 And Hikaru goes for it.

7:24 But this just means that E4 break is not happening anytime soon.

7:28 But what was the alternative though?

7:29 Cuz I was looking at all of the other moves the bishop could have occupied.

7:32 EP was realistically uh the only square there.

7:35 So, Hikaro must have been thinking about something else.

7:37 Yeah, the follow-up.

7:38 The followup.

7:39 Maybe he was trying to calculate what's just happened.

7:41 Yi pressing the explosion button trying

7:44 to break open the structure in the center.

7:48 The white queen does feel slightly uncomfortable stared

7:50 down by a black rook on the Cfile.

7:52 But, uh there's so many captures here available for white.

7:55 You can capture the C5 pawn twice.

7:57 You can capture A5, D5.

8:00 Pick your poison.

8:01 You have to be careful though.

8:02 You don't want to take the wrong way.

8:04 And here we see he takes the opportunity to push a pawn forward.

8:07 Drops back with a knight.

8:09 That's to open up the white light squareed bishop.

8:11 But a bit of an odd retreat there from Hikaru.

8:14 He's trying to reroute the knight to that other square.

8:16 D3.

8:16 Bring it to the center.

8:17 Also eyeing the pawn on C5.

8:20 You know, you've got your bishop, your knight,

8:21 your queen and rook ready to attack to jump over onto that pawn.

8:25 So here trying to improve pieces.

8:27 But what's been really impressive for me so far has not just been on the board

8:31 uh but also for way with the black pieces keeping control of the clock.

8:35 Something few are able to do against Hikaro.

8:37 And it should be pointed out here as well

8:39 that uh uh at first glance D4 looks like a really

8:44 attractive idea for black right now because that dark

8:46 squared bishop h has precious few squares to go to.

8:49 But you have to prepare that because the light squared bishop for black is

8:53 hanging if you just push that without first considering what you wanted to do.

8:57 So there's a little bit of preparation required and it buys

9:00 Nakamura time to think about how he wants to deal with that.

9:04 And the knight moving from H5 allows the bishop more squares as well.

9:08 So it immediately jumps back into G5.

9:11 Yep.

9:11 Maybe defending Wayi's bishop there getting ready for that pawn

9:15 storm in the center would have been even more uh attractive.

9:19 But ultimately Hikaru does feel the heat.

9:21 He wants to trade off some pieces maybe

9:23 because of the black uh pawns occupy the center.

9:25 White slightly cramped.

9:26 You want to trade off pieces when you're lacking space.

9:29 But uh it does feel like it's a very healthy position for way still.

9:33 It really does.

9:34 I mean uh you know you've got these beautiful pawns at the center for Hikaro.

9:38 I will point out he has a protected passed pawn on B5, right?

9:41 And that's a long-term advantage that you've got.

9:44 Any endgame, if it's a pure king and king

9:46 endgame with just the pawns on the board, you're playing for the win.

9:49 So, black always wants at least one piece to block that pawn.

9:52 And he places one very early on in the stage,

9:54 also putting pressure at the base on the C4 pawn.

9:58 Yeah, knights are known as the best defender.

10:00 Knights because they can reach over pawns.

10:03 They can hop over things.

10:04 They do a great job uh blockading and uh multi-purpose attacks.

10:09 Queen's the worst blockader incidentally.

10:11 For now though, a bishop for knight trade.

10:13 We saw there the first minor pieces coming off

10:15 the board and way locks down the queen side.

10:18 Very difficult to know exactly how to make headway there.

10:21 Hikaru looking up to the sky.

10:23 That means he's calculating something.

10:24 Maybe some pawn trades.

10:26 The white knight hitting the C5 square.

10:28 That is a key motif.

10:29 But after a pawn trade, you will always be walking into some fire on the C file.

10:34 You have to time it correctly.

10:37 Just an incredibly complex position this is.

10:39 And both players now under 6 minutes

10:41 on the clock and sort of it's just starting,

10:43 you know, the strategic battle.

10:45 That last move could also end up weakening that pawn.

10:48 It could end up becoming a target easy to get to.

10:50 The queen's already there.

10:52 There is potential in the future of the knight

10:54 retreating and putting attack on A4 as well.

10:56 So a bit of a committal move there

10:58 by way Karun Nakamura with a shake of his head.

11:02 One would almost feel that he's not comfortable with what's going on right now.

11:06 Definitely not comfortable.

11:07 We talked about the time disadvantage earlier.

11:09 That can happen but he's still almost

11:11 a minute down Hikaru who goes for that plan.

11:13 Uh you mentioned there Tanya hitting the white uh the black pawn that's

11:17 bypassed into the white half and maybe that knight needs to be captured.

11:22 Maybe the black rook will try and slide across to defend but not an easy choice.

11:26 The bishop pair is all important.

11:28 Black's dark squareed bishop does not want to trade itself off for a knight.

11:32 If knight B2 means you're seriously thinking about

11:36 trading off the dark squared bishop for that knight,

11:39 can it therefore be argued that maybe A4 is

11:42 a little bit of an overextension by way?

11:45 How do we feel about that?

11:46 Does that help us in retrospect understand whether it was the best option?

11:51 Yeah, definitely a big big decision.

11:53 It's maybe not necessarily objectively bad, but I think in an ideal world,

11:57 he would have had time to maybe solidify that pawn,

12:00 keep his bishops intact, and still play A4, right?

12:03 Um, it just Ooh, he defends it with his rook instead.

12:06 This is committ.

12:07 The white queen now might be capturing a pawn on C5.

12:11 Hikaro looks very, very interested in this last decision.

12:14 Calculation is necessary.

12:16 It feels like they're just throwing the move back to each other where he's like,

12:19 "Okay, I'm going to make a difficult decision for you.

12:21 You give me one, I'm going to give a solution back.

12:24 And oh, the knight returning back where it came from.

12:26 A silent draw offer potentially from Hikaro Nakamura if

12:29 the black rook again continues that dance and goes to C8.

12:33 Wow, big moment here.

12:34 We'll understand the mindset of the players.

12:36 And it looks like we're not the only ones finding this super complex

12:39 and this position very rich and idea is

12:41 barely being able to handle under 5 minutes.

12:43 The players repeating if that happens three times, that's an instant draw.

12:47 And look at that.

12:48 Hikaro says, "I'm ready for it." Will Weii flip the script?

12:52 Will he change his mind?

12:53 Will he grab that knight and say,

12:55 "Game on, go for more." Or is he going to repeat now?

12:59 Oh, we can't blame him if he had gone for the draw.

13:01 But power move by Weii showing his ambition.

13:04 He wants to win this game.

13:06 He smells weakness potentially from Hikaru.

13:09 He's up a few seconds on the clock.

13:10 Weii, he's got a beautiful pawn center.

13:13 He solidifies everything now defending his bishop,

13:15 getting ready to push in the middle of the board with those pawns.

13:18 This is really interesting because it's

13:20 almost a psychological play as well, right?

13:23 Where saying, "Oh, I can see that you're thinking of repeating

13:26 moves." He didn't stop there and think and consider the draw.

13:29 It was forceful.

13:30 It was almost It wasn't quite a premove,

13:32 but he took pretty much instantaneously on B2

13:35 as soon as Hikaru decided to repeat.

13:38 And that decision, will he be rewarded for his guts,

13:41 for his bravery where he or that come back to haunt him?

13:44 Only time will tell.

13:45 And time in this format is the biggest factor right now.

13:49 It's Weii who is up on the clock.

13:51 Hikaro on the defense.

13:52 He stops that D pawn from moving just a bit forward.

13:55 Also defends his own E2 pawn which was on the open line.

13:57 The attack the line of attack of the black queen.

14:01 Rook D8 again threatening D4.

14:04 Stopped one more time by Hikaru who lines up his rook

14:07 against the black queen if the file was to open up.

14:10 Ultimately, it's still a very level position,

14:11 but psychologically Weii maybe aiming to seize

14:15 the upper hand for the rest of the match.

14:16 This is a position that Hikaru struggles to improve his pieces.

14:20 This last move, very, very passive.

14:22 That's just bracing for impact, waiting for the black D pawn to step forward,

14:25 just putting the white rook opposite the black queen in case uh lines open up.

14:30 But for way, can he maximize his pieces?

14:32 Has he already reached the potential with those rooks,

14:35 the queen, the knight, the bishop?

14:36 And I'm guessing that uh there there has

14:39 to be a part of Wayi who's saying, "Well, actually,

14:41 I'd love to be able to meet E4 with D4 and have my C pawn and D pawn potentially

14:47 pass connected trying to roll down the board." The capture

14:50 might not be what's on his mind right now.

14:52 And maybe that's holding Hikaru back from playing E4.

14:57 100%.

14:57 I think you have to time that really well.

14:59 Not just that, it stops black from moving the D pawn forward as well.

15:02 So way he chooses the other one.

15:04 The structure that was there on the board, it's called the hanging pawns.

15:06 When you've got D5, C5 at the center of the board,

15:09 you have to time any pawn advance very carefully because it leaves

15:13 certain square behind the dark squares in this case C3 and D4.

15:18 If Hikaru gets the time to plant his knight on D4,

15:21 that would be advantage white.

15:23 So way it's all again about energetic play.

15:26 But first C3 is a big threat winning material.

15:30 big big threats.

15:30 And uh we did mention that queens are the worst blockaders.

15:33 You can only really blockade the advance of that pawn with the white queen,

15:37 but she might be caught uh hit later by some some other advancing pawns.

15:42 A very very committal decision from Weii.

15:44 Very ambitious one.

15:45 And uh right now it's hanging in the balance.

15:48 There's a pattern here as well.

15:49 Obviously the Yeah, there we go.

15:50 Obviously the uh light squares there are

15:52 looking strong as the dark squares look weak.

15:54 That knight could be coming back via C5 to B3 for example.

15:58 And what a thorn in white's position that would be.

16:01 It's coming.

16:02 He's going to land it one more or D3.

16:05 O.

16:05 Either way, looks very strong.

16:07 The white knight is a beast.

16:08 Cannot really be removed other than by the black knight.

16:12 Which way is he going to go?

16:13 Weii, this is very, very tense.

16:15 Hikaru under some pressure.

16:17 This is a nice knight jump.

16:19 Black queen also hitting a pawn.

16:21 I don't envy Hikaru's position right now.

16:24 This is incredibly confident by Weii.

16:26 Just unbelievable stuff.

16:27 You know, you have this moment to bail out.

16:29 You start with the black pieces, you know,

16:30 you got the next round, white, you can push for a win there.

16:33 But we in an equal position takes that bold decision to keep the game going.

16:37 There wasn't anything direct.

16:38 And then he plays fast, keeps the pressure on the clock,

16:40 improves his pieces, lands a knight on B3,

16:43 putting the pressure on Hikaru Nakamura.

16:46 Just fantastic stuff by Wayi so far today

16:49 in his first match and his first game against Hikaru.

16:51 A 40 second advantage is very important when

16:54 Hikaru goes down to 2 minutes as well.

16:56 Hikaru placed the knight on D4 and where he said, "No problem.

16:59 You can absolutely take that.

17:01 I'm going to play the knight into B3 anyway.

17:03 You really want these connected passes in your position.

17:05 Clearly not." And now we're going for some very interesting attacks.

17:09 We've got mate in one threat on the board.

17:11 Queen also being attacked, of course.

17:13 And we need to be wary of this, but Weii should be on top of it.

17:17 Yeah, you can defend this in a few ways.

17:19 You can drop the black queen back to a very passive square,

17:21 or you can jump forward with the queen to hit the white knight in the process.

17:25 way.

17:25 He's burned through most of his time advantage on this last move.

17:28 This is danger time.

17:29 This is Hikaru's hunting ground.

17:32 When the opponent's clock ticks down, we saw the black queen retreat.

17:36 The white rook improves itself.

17:38 Sooner or later though,

17:38 the white knight will get booted away and that's when the action will begin.

17:42 If this comes down to a time scramble, no one beats Hikaro.

17:45 He's just an absolute monster then.

17:47 And it's sort of reaching that territory.

17:49 You know, it's under 2 minutes right now.

17:50 And look at that.

17:51 The knight comes back, but that gives Hikaro the chance to attack

17:54 the queen once it's picked up that pawn on A3.

17:58 That rook is untouchable due to a pin on the black knight.

18:01 The black queen will have to retreat now unless your name

18:04 is Salera Fuja and you're a speed demon as well.

18:06 You do not fancy your chances in this ensuing time scramble.

18:09 The knights disappear.

18:11 A pawn about to drop on B5.

18:13 Wayi is going to be a pawn up, but 20 seconds down.

18:15 Look at the speed with which Hikaru is now suddenly playing.

18:18 He's spaced this up and how he's got this beautiful blockage.

18:21 Yes, way he's up a pawn but all

18:23 those dark squares fantastically captured by Hikaru.

18:26 He shakes his head.

18:27 He feels he's in a good position.

18:28 All the majors f in great positions.

18:31 Now he's about to win a pawn back.

18:33 A double attack on the bishop and the pawn.

18:36 Karu wincing there because if he takes the pawn back, the center might explode.

18:40 The black D pawn might push forward.

18:43 Or does he have some tricks up his sleeve?

18:45 He might be winning a pawn in some variations.

18:47 and Tikaru.

18:48 This is a nightmare for Wayi to defend.

18:49 Almost 30 seconds down.

18:51 One isolated pawn.

18:52 A very bad bishop for black.

18:53 It's been a bit of a turnaround over the last few moves just out of nowhere.

18:56 Again, comes down to these blitz territories where

18:59 Hikaru just puts the pressure on the clock.

19:01 Rook D4.

19:02 Beautifully plays, killing that bishop that Weii has,

19:05 which is now stuck behind the pawn.

19:07 This is going to be so difficult for Weii if he holds this.

19:10 Fair play to him, but he just has to sit tight and pray.

19:15 White can do anything here.

19:17 Hikaru can play this position for another 50 moves.

19:19 Can sit on it.

19:21 Can improve his king, his bishop.

19:22 It's going to be a scramble on the clock.

19:24 He'll play it for another 100 moves moves if it's required.

19:26 Way with a minute and 4 seconds on the clock.

19:28 Hikaru's got only one agenda, which is to flag him and a big miss there.

19:33 Yeah, Hikaru could have actually gone forward with a pawn with a check.

19:36 There would have been a rook sacrifice

19:37 and the tactics working in Hikaru's favor.

19:39 He's shaking his head.

19:40 He realized he just missed a winning move, Hikaru.

19:43 But it's actually all about the clock.

19:45 He's not even necessarily trying to uh trick way Yi here.

19:49 He goes for that check.

19:50 Maybe one move too late.

19:52 Rook takes bishop now with a trap would be met by another rook takes bishop.

19:56 We would have seen a dead drawn rook endgame.

20:00 Pressure continues.

20:00 We the one with the red clock under 45 seconds.

20:05 It's almost a 20 second advantage now to Hikaru Nakamura.

20:07 That is an eternity for him and he's going to build on on that.

20:11 He's going to keep playing.

20:12 meanwhile puts pressure on the pawn.

20:14 The king moves forward, checks.

20:15 Weii now saying, "I'm ready to repeat." The tables have turned.

20:20 Hey, Karu struggling to keep this game going though.

20:22 The white king stepping back.

20:23 There is a big glaring weakness.

20:25 And we Why does he not repeat the position?

20:29 Unbelievable.

20:29 For the second time in this match, in this game, we declines a draw.

20:34 A repetition down on the clock.

20:37 Way here just repeating now with his rook.

20:40 He hasn't improved his own chances.

20:42 Maybe trying to get Hikaru to think a bit longer here,

20:45 but still 6sec difference.

20:47 Oh wow.

20:48 It just feels like whoever's quicker,

20:49 more decisive in the next few moves is going to take this game.

20:54 This is getting incredibly tense now.

20:56 And the bishop moves.

20:58 The bishop was under attack.

20:59 Now Hikaru comes in with the rook, pinning the black bishop.

21:02 It's time to unpin yourself.

21:03 Way gets his king into the defense.

21:05 Under 20 seconds.

21:06 Why did he not repeat at that moment?

21:09 position is getting better and better.

21:10 He's traded off his isolated pawn.

21:13 He's moving his king across.

21:14 He's going for victory here now.

21:17 Hikaru Nakamura down a pawn.

21:18 15 seconds though.

21:19 Can we hold on?

21:21 Wayi is playing on the board.

21:22 Hikaru is playing on the clock.

21:24 Hey, Wayi is just winning.

21:25 He's got this extra pawn.

21:26 The black king is coming.

21:27 You can premove almost pushing the F pawn forward.

21:30 This is a winning end game for Weii.

21:32 10 seconds.

21:33 But is that going to be enough?

21:34 And he keeps moving the pawn forward.

21:35 Hikaro's bishop and the rook controlling the queening

21:38 square and where he gives up the bishop but he's going to remove the final pawn.

21:42 This game is going to end in a draw.

21:43 White's bishop not enough to deliver checkmate.

21:46 The clock will not play this decisive role in the end.

21:48 It's a draw.

21:51 What a tense end to that game.

21:53 Wayi maybe playing mind games there with Hikaru

21:57 a little bit declining the repetition for the second

22:00 time in the game while down on the clock

22:02 when both players have under a minute to go.

22:05 That sends a very big I do not fear this message.

22:10 But Hikaru handling that time advantage in the endame masterfully forcing Wayi

22:15 into a position where he could not convert an on the board advantage.

22:20 psychologically super gutsy the way he declined repetition twice.

22:24 Not something you see players do against Hikaru Nakamura.

22:27 But there was this moment that Hikaru had

22:29 a massive opportunity to wrap the game up.

22:32 You could see him shaking the head at the end of that.

22:34 But this endgame it was way on the push.

22:37 He had the winning position but not enough time on the clock and eventually

22:41 it ended with no material but missed opportunities David for both these players.

22:47 Yeah, it was a game in three phases.

22:49 The opening was a big success for Weii.

22:52 The middle game, he was a pawn up trying to apply pressure,

22:55 but ultimately Hikaru won the pawn back.

22:57 The end game, it was all about flagging.

22:59 Missed opportunities for both sides.

23:01 4 seconds against 7 seconds at the end, but a draw feels like a fair result.

23:04 Look, I I I've got a very important question here.

23:07 Wayi couldn't convert in time, but declining the repetition and getting

23:10 into a winning position against Hikaru Nakamura.

23:12 I get that the scores are level at half a point,

23:15 but has way just won the psychological battle.

23:18 He's won a lot of uh hearts at home.

23:21 A lot of fans will be very impressed by that.

23:23 I think it's difficult to win the psychological battle against Hikaru.

23:26 Hikaru is very much in the moment game by game.

23:28 That's what's brought him so much success.

23:30 And talking of games, it's game on in the second encounter.

23:35 And once again, we get an opening that we've seen how many times now at the EWC.

23:40 It is the Petra, the Russian defense,

23:42 but a more aggressive approach there with white striking in the center.

23:46 A pawn swap and something that we've seen a few times.

23:48 This is fascinating.

23:49 Weii was on the black side of this exact variation earlier against Cinderov.

23:53 Now he takes the white side of this same opening.

23:56 Just one small difference,

23:57 the black queen moving instead of the black knight that's just developed,

24:00 but ultimately the roads look very similar here.

24:03 The pat defense definitely the most popular.

24:05 It's just in vogue right now.

24:07 very happy to uh to play the same uh opening with both clouds which is

24:11 absolutely fascinating here and after that really

24:15 intense game number one against Tikara as well.

24:18 I I'd love to be able to read more into what we is thinking and how the mind

24:21 games are going to play into this but as you

24:23 know way is so unbelievably hard to read.

24:26 Possibly the hardest to read player in the 16

24:28 that we had going into this tournament.

24:30 He is giving nothing away.

24:33 Well, he's given one thing away that he doesn't fear.

24:35 Hikaru declining those repetitions.

24:38 He's ready for a game on.

24:39 Give him an opportunity even in equal position.

24:41 If he feels there's something to fight

24:43 for, he's going to take on Hikaru Nakamura.

24:45 And I think also equally impressive has been his clock management.

24:49 That's a great point.

24:50 I mean, when we uh when we decide, for example,

24:52 on a move of the day, does it have to be over a chessboard?

24:55 Can we can we say that declining the repetition twice against Hikaru when

24:59 you have less time on the That is a statement and a half, right?

25:03 For me, that's the move of the day already.

25:05 Yeah, especially if he goes on to win this match way uh with the white pieces.

25:10 Now, Hikaru shaking his head, living in the past.

25:12 He'll shake that off at some point and uh start to refocus.

25:16 For now, big questions about this position.

25:18 It's level material.

25:19 Only one trade of pawns each side.

25:22 Which way is the black king going?

25:24 That's the next step.

25:25 Well, if I had to predict, I'd say left side of the board.

25:28 You know, get that uh get that opposite side castling going.

25:31 Fanetto your bishop, attack the pawn, get the H pawn off the board.

25:35 Let's be inspired by Alpha Zero.

25:37 Well, at least as a commentator, I'd love to see all that happen.

25:40 Yeah, plenty of flexibility here.

25:42 Does feel like we he's not trying to shut

25:45 this game down either against the Petro defense with white.

25:48 You can play so many riskfree ideas.

25:51 You can essentially force the opponent to be accurate.

25:54 Yes, it might fizzle out towards a draw,

25:55 but uh you don't kind of uh put too much on the line in the process here.

26:00 All the pieces on the board.

26:01 This one's going to be fiery later.

26:03 I love how much time he spent thinking about this.

26:06 Rook E1 on the board, but uh 8 minutes and 5 seconds versus 915.

26:12 So getting an early time advantage is Hikaru here in the second game,

26:16 which is not something we saw him do in the previous game.

26:19 uh he might be feeling a little bit more free, a little bit more relaxed,

26:22 and I think he's realizing that actually the decisions

26:25 I make too are also making my opponent nervous.

26:28 Even though I had a little bit of a wobble in game number one,

26:31 now it's time to see how you fare when the boots on the other foot.

26:36 The first game of any day is always a bit nerve-wracking.

26:39 Hikaru maybe just feels like he's warmed up after that previous time scramble.

26:44 White bishop moves for a second time this game, pinning the black knight.

26:47 a few targets there,

26:48 but might have to trade itself off uh or just retreat right now.

26:53 Will we see a big decision from Weii?

26:56 The black king still in the center.

26:58 Okay, he goes back with his bishop.

26:59 Very odd little shimmy there.

27:02 Very interesting.

27:03 And one explanation could have been that he provoked a pawn move making sure

27:06 that if Hikaru Nakamura does decide to go with the king alongside queen side,

27:10 there will be a weakness to target which will be the A6 pawn.

27:13 So perhaps something to play for and he just

27:15 wants him to uh to have a more cautious approach.

27:18 Get that king to the right side of the board.

27:20 Bishop D3 gets a question mark, but an interesting opening approach.

27:23 And what I like is that he didn't take too long.

27:26 Yeah, he didn't take too long.

27:27 Weii, but still down almost a minute.

27:29 We'll learn so much from the next decision.

27:32 Hikaru Nakamura, it feels like he's about to castle his king.

27:35 If he goes to the right, he's playing safety first chess.

27:38 He just wants to be solid.

27:40 His king looks relatively safe over there.

27:42 if he goes the other way.

27:43 Meanwhile, he was feeling much more ambitious.

27:46 Opposite side castling.

27:47 Both sides will throw pawns later towards their respective

27:50 enemy kings and we're going to see just total chaos.

27:53 It it does ask the question, right?

27:55 Like Tanya said, A6 has been provoked now.

27:57 So instead of uh instead of needing a couple of extra moves,

28:00 B4, B5 already asks the question,

28:02 you're just one move quicker to be able to get that queen side attack in.

28:06 And maybe that's the reason why Hikaro

28:08 Nakamura has actually used his time advantage.

28:11 Now it's almost equal, but he does go queen side anyway.

28:15 He's saying game on.

28:17 This is going to be fireworks very, very soon.

28:20 And suddenly we's idea of retreating with the bishop makes

28:23 sense practically because like you said, A6 is a hook.

28:26 Ideas of advancing the B pawn, the A pawn become even more attractive.

28:30 lining up the queen with a light squad bishop.

28:33 Targeting that pawn on A6 is something for Wayi to think about.

28:38 Yeah, plenty of choice though for Wei Yi.

28:40 And often in chess, you especially in rapid chess,

28:43 you don't want too much uh too many alternatives here.

28:46 It means you burn time on the clock.

28:48 Well played.

28:49 But apparently a big mistake according to the computer.

28:52 Iaru blows open the center now.

28:54 Maybe way pieces just aren't ready for this action.

28:57 Oh wow.

28:58 I did not think I I I I was looking

29:00 at B4 A4 thinking this is going to be relatively automatic.

29:04 But look at this response from Hikaru.

29:07 He has thought this through.

29:09 Played D4.

29:10 And yes, okay, there's an open A file right now.

29:13 But look at what's happening in the center of the board.

29:15 That pawn on C3.

29:17 The long diagonal, the bishop on G7 is suddenly going to come into its own.

29:21 There are problems here to solve.

29:23 Many, many problems.

29:24 And the black king still has a lot of defenders around it.

29:27 So should be relatively safe.

29:29 Can Hikaru keep his extra pawn?

29:31 That is the big question.

29:32 The C3 pawn, if it falls,

29:34 if the white queen can take it next move, then it's game on.

29:37 Anything could happen.

29:38 But uh he does have this one move opportunity.

29:41 Hikaro Nakamura.

29:43 How is he going to make the most of it?

29:45 That's the big question because queen takes pawn.

29:47 I don't really see a way to defend that pawn.

29:49 The white knight takes care of all the squares

29:51 the black queen could jump onto to take control of that.

29:53 Queen takes pawn's coming up.

29:54 The a pawn's moving up the board.

29:56 I get it.

29:57 You have this entire army around the black king.

29:59 You're feeling safe but white king as well equally safe.

30:03 I am actually pretty surprised at how much

30:05 of an advantage the evaluation bar is giving.

30:07 Hey Karu Nakamura currently

30:10 and uh I have just checked the computer thinks black is has

30:15 the edge has the big advantage after multiple moves longterm doing very well.

30:20 Getting the queens off in certain variations seems to be

30:24 the goal for Hikaru Nakamura since white's pawns are relatively weak.

30:27 The white pawn on E5 lacking defenders.

30:29 The white pawn on A2 isolated longterm.

30:31 He just shuffles his king closer to the corner.

30:34 Again, good tip for everyone at home.

30:35 If you castle on the queen side, the long side, get that king nearer the corner.

30:38 You tend to be safer and uh harder for the opponent to check you.

30:43 But uh will we now pick up that pawn that he's down?

30:46 very tempting to do it, but the fact that he pauses while he eventually does

30:49 take the decision and Hikaru jumps in with a knight, wanting some trades,

30:53 hoping to open up his own bishop at the end of the sequence.

30:58 Knight takes knight.

30:59 Will Hikaru want the queens off the board?

31:02 That is uh we we're getting a question mark associated with that move,

31:05 but like many others before it, it looks so natural.

31:09 So, I'm guessing uh there was either a really strong alternative

31:13 or we have some tactics incoming where we've got both knights under attack.

31:18 Uh are we looking at meeting queen takes knight with Oh, no.

31:22 You've got to take with the Yeah, I'm not really sure what's going on there.

31:25 Yeah, we'll see it actually unfold on the board though.

31:28 Actually, some cool tactics.

31:29 Hikaru could have won the white E5 pawn if he'd been a bit more accurate,

31:32 but I don't think he uh necessarily wants

31:35 to uh indulge in too many complications here.

31:38 The queens leaving the board will give

31:40 black a relatively uh stable advantage longterm.

31:43 I think he'll take the queens off now.

31:45 So the question mark because of a missed opportunity,

31:48 not because this position is bad for black.

31:51 Okay,

31:50 speaking of a long-term advantage, let's point out where Karunakamura,

31:53 he already has a passer, a passed pawn on the board.

31:56 That's one that can't be stopped or blocked by an opponent's pawn.

31:59 The C pawn that he has.

32:00 Meanwhile, for white, there is no passer.

32:03 You still have to create it because black does have the defenders right there.

32:06 So again, endgame favor black healthy pawn formation a target on e5.

32:11 The rook beautifully placed on the only open line uh on that df file right now.

32:17 Huge question to does he keep the complications on.

32:20 Does he move the queen away or will he go for the endame?

32:24 Yeah, big decision.

32:25 Queens off the board looks likely.

32:27 Hikaru does take them off the board and a double attack hitting

32:30 white's light squared bishop hitting the E5 pawn at the same time.

32:34 If we do see a bishop for knight trade,

32:36 that is a situation where the bishops will be super powerful long term.

32:40 There we see the bar slide.

32:42 The black light squareed bishop is going to be the MVP most likely unchallenged.

32:47 White with weaknesses all over the board.

32:49 This

32:50 that must have been a very difficult decision

32:51 to make to give up your bishop pair.

32:53 It really is because you you take a look at uh white's

32:56 bishop that used to be in and around B3 and you're thinking,

32:58 oh, longterm that raking across the board

33:00 looks like a fantastic opportunity for Wayi.

33:03 But being forced to give that up for the knight,

33:05 those dreams have now been shattered and he's left with a position

33:09 where it's Hikaru Nakamura's bishops that are causing all sorts of problems.

33:14 And that's not the only dream that's going to be shattered.

33:16 At some point, Hikaro is going to line up the two rooks on the D file

33:19 and just deny Weii any opportunity to challenge

33:22 for the only open file in the position right now.

33:25 Rook D8 on the board.

33:26 How is Weii going to survive this?

33:29 Where will he find his opportunity?

33:31 On the clock, it's level, but on the board, it's not.

33:36 This is Hikaru Nakamura in his element.

33:38 I've watched his stream so many times.

33:40 He loves these types of end games.

33:41 He loves grinding down the opponent.

33:43 Pure strategy here, minimal tactics.

33:45 That's the most emotion I've seen out of way all week.

33:50 There you go.

33:51 Think thinking pose.

33:52 The fact that he moved seismic.

33:54 Yeah, he he's 99 stoic instead of 100 stoic at the at the moment.

33:58 But he he really is in a lot of trouble right now

34:00 and he needs to think of a resource to climb his way out.

34:02 And the heart rate agrees with you.

34:04 I mean that's 130 right there for Weii.

34:07 So he's feeling the nerves currently.

34:09 Hikaro keeps putting pressure.

34:11 You know, he hit the bishop on the last move, doubled up on the D line.

34:14 Now he's getting the bishop to H6 to attack F4.

34:17 It provokes Weii to push the G pawn to defend it.

34:20 But that's going to make the light

34:21 square so incredibly weak around the white king.

34:24 Oh, needs must though.

34:25 And most likely we will push that pawn forward.

34:29 Hikaru was shaking his head.

34:30 It was slightly confusing because his position is so good right now,

34:33 but maybe just uh frustrated that there's no immediate knockout,

34:37 but long-term looking very good.

34:39 And normally I talk about connect four,

34:40 but white's pawn structure less impressive this time.

34:43 all on dart squares, a bishop blocked on dark squares,

34:46 and the white king not going to be safe long term.

34:50 And you know, for for most of us, it might be like, hey, the materials balance.

34:54 You've got five pawns versus five pawns.

34:56 You know, the pieces are still playing for white as well,

34:58 threatening now to double up on the C line.

35:00 Why is this so good?

35:01 But it's not all that meets the eye.

35:03 You've got the bishop pair.

35:04 You've got the C pawn that'll eventually move up the board.

35:07 For Hikaro, this is a dream position,

35:08 one that he can really grind down and enjoy for the next 30 moves.

35:12 the the light squares just look so so dangerous right now.

35:16 And maybe that was part of the motivation behind playing

35:19 the rook up to E3 because the moment white moves the knight,

35:22 you have potential check on F3 followed

35:25 by maybe the other rook coming into the sixth.

35:27 Who knows what would happen in that sort of situation.

35:30 So it feels like Wayi is surviving but is extremely tied

35:35 down right now and needs options but he's not finding any.

35:39 This feels like the type of position you save like 10% of the time for Wayi.

35:43 Maybe if Hikaru doesn't find a way forward,

35:46 something concrete, then you survive,

35:47 survive, and uh maybe trick your way to a draw later.

35:51 But you very rarely win these types of positions.

35:53 Hikaru a bit of a frown.

35:55 Maybe surprised by this last turn.

35:56 He's trying to get the other bishop in.

35:58 The raking bishop pair threatening a nasty check.

36:02 That's very instructive.

36:03 You know, you're constantly looking for more active diagonals for your pieces.

36:07 First he provoked white to push the G pawn,

36:09 activating the light squareed bishop.

36:10 Then he rerouted the bishop to a square where I can give a check.

36:13 And again, it could be potentially a mating attack against

36:16 the white king with both the rooks still on the board.

36:19 And it's one of those things where look Hikaru Nakamura,

36:23 it's becoming almost easier for him to play because wayi is creating

36:27 those weaknesses that makes it easier for him to make these follow-up moves.

36:31 And in a format like this where both

36:33 players have 3 minutes on the clock, that's huge.

36:36 Yeah.

36:36 Now way shaking his head loads.

36:38 He knows that he might be on the brink of elimination here.

36:40 He drops back his rook.

36:42 He's not the type of player who's going to sit

36:43 still and wait for the his fate to hit him.

36:46 He's going to try and push pawns.

36:48 Uh as you mentioned, creating weaknesses in the process,

36:50 but the black bishop's coming in.

36:51 The black rooks have infiltrated the other ones coming in too.

36:55 Uh maybe to the third rank first a check.

36:58 This looks devastating.

36:59 Don't move up to E3.

37:00 That would be a checkmate in one.

37:02 King E3 would have run into rook D3.

37:04 So he blocks the check with the knight retreating right now.

37:06 It's time anyway to bring that rook in.

37:09 Combine it with the power of that unchallenged

37:12 light squad bishop giving some big checks.

37:14 White's king surprisingly in this queenless middle game is in a kill zone.

37:19 We s saw on the left of our screens there, Hikaru was about to make that move.

37:23 He kind of took it back.

37:25 Uh showing some indecision.

37:26 The clock may be Wayi's best friend right now.

37:29 He's up 10 seconds.

37:30 It doesn't sound like much, but it is that desperate on the board.

37:33 He can barely move a single piece with white.

37:35 Huge threat on the board.

37:36 He needs to prevent the black rook sliding across with the check.

37:39 He needs to offer a trade.

37:41 But Hikaru looking locked in here.

37:44 His spidey senses are tingling as he does move around his finger.

37:47 He's calculating the lines.

37:49 This is classic Hikaru Nakamura.

37:50 He's thinking, "Hey Chad, I got this.

37:52 Takes takes takes.

37:53 This is how I'm going to finish

37:54 this." And look at this beautiful calculation there.

37:56 sacrifices a rook temporarily to pick up that HD H2 pawn

38:00 to pick up Wayi's rook with interest on the next move.

38:04 Memew worthy you might call it as he

38:06 was pointing to moves with his fingers there.

38:08 But that is a brilliant move as indicated by a computer

38:11 double Xclam because this pawn is guaranteed to drop and uh skewer.

38:16 Yes, it's just going to be a pawn in the process.

38:18 But that's a very important pawn.

38:19 The uh defenses are slowly being broken.

38:22 and weii now losing his time advantage, losing pawns, losing hope.

38:26 When Hikaru starts bobbing his head like that and grooving

38:29 to whatever is going on in his mind, you know it's bad news.

38:33 He gives a check and another check.

38:34 Hikaru Nakamura has calculated his way through.

38:37 There's no way for the white king to stay connected to the white rook.

38:40 He's about to win the rook back.

38:41 He's won the pawn back.

38:42 Hikaru Nakamura is about to go to the quarterfinals.

38:46 Yeah, it's not just a pawn he's won.

38:47 He's about to give checkmate potentially if the white king missteps.

38:51 Now the white king has to go forward.

38:53 You have to hope that you survive

38:55 in the on the hill there in the middle of the board.

38:58 Oh, but look at the white pieces.

39:00 So stretched, so defensive, tied down, no light squared control.

39:04 And uh Hikaru here just needs to put the finishing touches on.

39:07 This game is going to go down in every

39:09 single book as how to play with the bishop pair.

39:12 Every single chapter will have this one on display.

39:17 What a power pack performance.

39:18 just finding those diagonals for the two minor pieces.

39:22 And finally, that pass pawn starts rolling up the board.

39:26 Just no moves for white.

39:27 Nothing to do.

39:28 You can try to create a pass pawn,

39:30 but the black bishop's only going to slide back and conquer your rook.

39:33 That rook will be overwhelmed and lost where

39:37 he might be hitting the resign button soon.

39:40 No, he walks further forward with his king.

39:42 If he's going to go down, he's going to go down swinging with that king.

39:47 But there are no entry squares.

39:48 The E7 point controlled by the black bishop.

39:51 You know, you might just be too brave to go there, but that might end badly.

39:54 Checkmating idea still to always watch out for with the two bishops.

39:58 Will Karun Nakamura give a check immediately?

40:01 Will he make his rook a better piece right now?

40:04 Start targeting the F4 pawn which has been left undefended.

40:07 But the clock situation under two minutes.

40:10 David, I don't think we resigning.

40:12 He's going to play this out till the end.

40:13 He's going to try to make that miracle happen on the clock.

40:16 Karu is overthinking somewhat.

40:18 A couple of darts of the eye to the clock.

40:22 Looking a bit frustrated, not in his free flowing best.

40:25 Although he was looking confident a few moments ago.

40:28 He's tanked.

40:29 Look at that shake of the head.

40:30 He knows he's frozen.

40:31 Just needs to make a move.

40:32 Everything is good.

40:33 He attacks the knight.

40:34 He's going to win some pawns.

40:36 Even more pawns.

40:37 This is good enough.

40:38 But should have been better.

40:39 Played 20 seconds ago.

40:41 Strong move.

40:42 Strong decision finally there by Hikaru.

40:44 Took a while to get there, but he did get there.

40:46 The bishop moves into a very passive spot, defending the knight.

40:50 Hikaru really tying the the white king to D5.

40:54 One check and it could be over.

40:57 There's only one safe square for that white king to retreat to.

41:00 Maybe now is the moment before it is too late, before you do get checkmated.

41:04 The white knight wants to enter the middle of the board, but cannot safely.

41:08 This is so difficult to find a move away.

41:11 He pushes a pawn.

41:12 Desperation.

41:12 The rook is hit as we predicted earlier.

41:16 Not many safe squares for that piece.

41:18 And always watch out for the other bishop sliding back, giving some checks.

41:21 That rook needs to stay connected to certain other pieces.

41:24 Wo!

41:24 A piece sacrifice there, but it could not have been picked up.

41:27 The white pawn would have advanced one step forward,

41:29 not allowing the black to defend against promotion.

41:33 Hikaru simply recaptures.

41:34 He did not even calculate.

41:35 That was impressive.

41:36 Hikaru didn't want to allow any counterplay.

41:38 The white rook saves itself.

41:40 But now there is a hint.

41:41 There is a small uh hope glimmer here for Weii with his E pawn.

41:46 Might be snuffed out though.

41:47 This last move very effective.

41:49 He's chasing the white bishop.

41:50 Repeating the position.

41:51 Hikaru, he can't do it.

41:52 This is a huge advantage for him.

41:54 He's up a pawn.

41:55 He's up on the clock.

41:56 Hikaru cannot bail out right now.

41:58 He does continue playing.

41:59 He believes in it.

42:01 He hits the white knight, but that white knight is defended.

42:03 The king is the MVP for Wayi.

42:05 It's not over yet.

42:06 Look at the king marching.

42:08 The E pawn moving.

42:09 Hikaro is panicking here.

42:10 It's setting in that headshake.

42:12 Very different from the head bob we saw a few seconds ago.

42:15 The advantage is slowly starting to fade.

42:18 Yes, that was a little trade of pawns.

42:19 Yes, black's still up one pawn, but there is counterplay.

42:22 The E pawn is running.

42:23 The black rook is just so offside right now.

42:26 Ignore the evaluation bar right now.

42:27 This is a game for three results.

42:29 And now the time, the clock is leveling out as well.

42:31 Look at Hikaru's face and you get to know the full story.

42:34 It's the E pawn.

42:34 It's the threats of the white king.

42:36 This is far from over.

42:37 Hikaru cannot believe it.

42:38 He's saying move, move, move.

42:39 He's cursing himself.

42:41 Look at the heart rates as well.

42:42 Both rising.

42:43 Wayi is so excited because this is the closest

42:45 he's been to saving this game in ages.

42:48 Hikaru is literally willing himself to make a move.

42:51 He gives a check, but this is sort of putting

42:53 the snooze here because the white king doesn't have too many squares.

42:57 Can he checkmate the white king?

42:58 That's a double attack though, hitting the white knight and bishop.

43:00 The knight gives up its life, but wow, he's blundered Hikaru.

43:04 He's lost his bishop.

43:05 Hikaru Nakamura is losing and he has no time.

43:08 He can't believe it.

43:09 And he's under 20 seconds.

43:13 Wow.

43:13 Completely had this.

43:14 So close.

43:15 Ival Bar says draw, but white has the pawn.

43:17 White has the moves and the time.

43:19 And where cool as a cucumber throughout the roller coaster.

43:24 Oh, we might see rook and bishop versus rook.

43:25 The hardest endame to defend

43:27 with 10 seconds.

43:28 Not possible to defend.

43:29 And Hikaru, he actually blundered there.

43:31 There could have been a rook trade, but way is just playing for the clock.

43:35 And that's all he got to do.

43:36 Look at Weii slowly steadily moving towards the screen.

43:39 He just needs to make sure he keeps the pressure on the clock.

43:43 Caru here premoving desperately.

43:45 We messed up some stuff there.

43:47 He's about to lose his bishop.

43:49 It's all about the clock though.

43:51 2 seconds versus 3 seconds.

43:53 The bomb comes in.

43:54 Oh my goodness.

43:54 Weii is about to get flagged.

43:56 He gets Hikaru's rook.

43:57 Weii cannot lose and it's a draw.

43:59 Weii times out.

44:00 Hikaru saves himself.

44:02 Absolutely ridiculous end to that game.

44:06 A winning panic in a winning position.

44:09 The eval bar, the position, forget that the psychological warfare

44:13 swinging between both players multiple times.

44:17 There are many people who would say after that roller coaster ride,

44:21 maybe a draw was the deserved result,

44:24 but both players will be ruining missed chances in that game.

44:29 Wow.

44:29 Neither deserve to win, neither deserve to lose.

44:31 That was a roller coaster.

44:32 One of the most dramatic finishes that I've ever seen.

44:36 Weii with all the material advantage.

44:38 A rook up, a queen up, but not enough time gets flagged.

44:40 And this was the crazy end game.

44:42 Hikaru Nakamura reacting there.

44:44 Up the entire time.

44:46 So close to winning.

44:47 And David then quickly it just slipped out of his hands.

44:49 Yeah, banging his head.

44:50 Hikaru Nakamura 3 4 minutes earlier.

44:53 He was bobbing his head knowing he was about to win.

44:56 Still reacting here.

44:57 Still so frustrated.

44:58 Hikaru used his clock skills to save himself.

45:00 Wayi might feel like he should have banked it there,

45:03 but ultimately we go down to Armageddon.

45:06 Hikaru not yet eliminated.

45:08 Th this match might be the most amazing we've seen so far.

45:12 Definitely a tale of two hearts and plenty

45:15 to talk about as we go into Armageddon.

45:18 We're going to get ready for that now and give the players

45:20 a bit of time to reset as we hop into a break.

45:23 But my goodness, don't go anywhere.

45:42 Reach your impossible.

45:44 Lenovo Legion.

45:48 [Music] Heat.

45:54 Heat.

45:56 [Music] What's up everybody?

46:37 I'm joined by Maxim from Vitality.

46:39 Unfortunately, has just been eliminated from EWC.

46:42 Um before we play some mini games and have a little bit of fun,

46:44 how has your EWC experience been?

46:46 It's been great.

46:47 My tournament, uh not so much,

46:49 but I love the settings around here and um you know,

46:53 being able to to watch everyone in the same place and uh you know,

46:58 at least in the next couple of days, I will try to to have some uh

47:02 Can I Can I do a test?

47:03 Can I do a test?

47:04 Who is the best esports player in the world?

47:08 Has to be Faker.

47:09 Oh, Zyu.

47:10 Say Zyu.

47:11 Yeah.

47:13 Okay.

47:13 Okay.

47:13 I like that.

47:13 I like that.

47:14 Okay.

47:14 Listen.

47:15 Have you played this before?

47:16 Uh I have.

47:17 You have?

47:18 No, I have.

47:19 But it didn't go well.

47:20 It didn't go well.

47:21 Okay.

47:21 Grab a grab a ball.

47:22 What we're going to do is I'm going

47:22 to ask you to do predictions as you're throwing.

47:24 Okay.

47:24 So, number one, Nordbec versus Fabiano.

47:27 Fabiano.

47:27 Fabio, tell me why.

47:29 There's no why.

47:29 There's no way.

47:30 No way.

47:30 Okay.

47:30 I'll I'll have a shot.

47:31 I'll have a shot.

47:31 See if I can get in.

47:33 Nope.

47:33 That was terrible.

47:34 Okay, next one.

47:35 Hikaru versus Wayi.

47:36 I'm going to pick the underdog way.

47:38 Oh, okay.

47:39 Let's go.

47:40 So close.

47:41 So close.

47:41 Okay, I'm going to I'm going to try another one here.

47:44 Yeah.

47:44 Nope.

47:44 That was terrible.

47:45 That was terrible.

47:45 Okay, now the next one's going to be Yan versus Fabiano.

47:49 I'm going to pick Fabi.

47:50 Fabby, tell me why.

47:51 Tell me why.

47:51 Tell me why.

47:53 Is good.

47:54 He's good.

47:55 Yeah.

47:55 Okay.

47:55 Can we try win a prize here?

47:56 Who's going to win EWC 2025?

47:59 It has to be Magnus.

48:00 Magnus.

48:01 Magnus, you may win something.

48:02 We won't.

48:02 Can we just hang our heads in shame and walk away?

48:05 Yeah.

48:07 Okay.

48:07 Wait, we can do another one.

48:08 There we go.

48:09 We got a prize.

48:11 Consolation prize.

48:12 Good.

48:13 Consolation prize.

48:14 Okay.

48:14 You going to catch it?

48:16 Let's go.

48:19 Are you ready?

48:20 Oh, we going.

48:21 Yala.

48:27 No.

48:27 Oh my word.

48:27 Right back to you, the show.

48:30 Welcome to the most exciting format in chess.

48:33 Armageddon.

48:34 The ultimate tiebreaker.

48:36 Armageddon grants white more time on the clock, but in return, white must win.

48:41 A draw secures black the match points.

48:44 White will start with 10 minutes.

48:46 Each player submits a confidential bid with the amount of time that they

48:50 are willing to play with to take black and get those coveted draw odds.

48:55 The lowest bid gets to play black and plays

48:57 with the amount of time that they bid.

48:59 The opponent gets the full 10 minutes.

49:04 Let the Armageddon commence.

49:29 Wow, what a match we've had so far.

49:32 We're going to be going to an Armageddon tie break.

49:36 And this is for all the marbles.

49:39 The winner that progresses from this match goes on to the quarterfinals.

49:44 The loser from this match gets their key crushed today.

49:50 The stakes could not be higher.

49:51 Both players have reasons to be frustrated at the moment.

49:54 This is getting more and more difficult

49:57 to figure out what's going on by the second.

50:00 Let's take a look at how Armageddon is going to go down.

50:04 Both players will be bidding an amount of time

50:07 that they're willing to have under 10 minutes.

50:10 and that player will play with black once the lower bid wins.

50:16 However, the player with the white pieces while they start with 10 minutes,

50:20 it's a mustwin situation.

50:22 If you're starting with black and you have less time and you make a draw,

50:26 that's good enough for the match.

50:28 That results in a win for black.

50:31 So, it's high tension for both players.

50:33 Whoever's playing with black will have less time, but they've got draw odds.

50:37 And this is what happened.

50:39 Hikaru Nakamura will be playing with the black pieces.

50:42 6 minutes and 49 seconds his bid.

50:45 Weii bid 7 minutes 36.

50:47 That bid was unsuccessful.

50:49 So weii will start with 10 minutes with the white pieces

50:52 against a Hikaru Nakamura 6 minutes 49 with the black pieces.

50:58 It is all or nothing.

51:00 Wow.

51:01 And we saw the time scramble in the previous game where it was only the clock

51:04 that saved Hikaru and uh only due

51:07 to the fact that he had insufficient material to checkmate.

51:10 Did uh Weii have to agree to the draw.

51:12 But uh yeah, that's borderline under 7 minutes is so risky.

51:16 Hikaru there feeling brave maybe emboldened by his mouse skills.

51:20 He choked the previous game winning position,

51:22 but he did clutch up when the clocks were ticking.

51:24 Yeah, it it's unbelievable to me.

51:26 649 does feel extremely low,

51:27 especially given the time management that way has shown.

51:30 He sort of kept it pretty level in both games against a player who is

51:34 one of the fastest on the planet that the chess world has ever ever seen.

51:37 You know, Hikar Nakamura and it all comes down to the Armageddon.

51:40 Now, one shot, one opportunity, one Armageddon.

51:42 It all it will all be decided in this one.

51:45 But I say one thing, you know, the nerves would have been very high,

51:48 tension would have been very high,

51:49 but you could only see it on one of these two players.

51:51 It was Hikaru Nakamura.

51:52 The frustration, you know, he was giving that away.

51:55 Way so calm, so collected.

51:57 And for me, that has been impressive to watch.

52:00 But the one thing I want to highlight for both players is their resilience.

52:02 Uh David just mentioned uh Oh, okay.

52:05 You clutch up.

52:06 But hang on a second.

52:07 You also let the game slip.

52:08 Wait, how rarely do you get to do that in a single game.

52:12 The point is both players kept playing when they were in difficult positions.

52:16 They found different ways to come back.

52:18 Nobody was giving up.

52:20 The never give up attitude.

52:21 Rise up.

52:22 I mean, that is the flavor of the esports World Cup, right?

52:24 And I feel like both of these competitors

52:26 are fantastic embodiment of what's happening there.

52:29 That's right.

52:30 Hikaru frustrated coming up against Tenacious Ye in the previous game.

52:34 And it's yet another Petro and uh another repeat of the previous game.

52:40 The same opening for both sides.

52:43 We've seen this happen twice today already.

52:44 All all the colors that you can imagine.

52:46 And there we've got Wayi with the white pieces.

52:49 A must-win game.

52:50 He keeps the speed on.

52:51 He knows that he has to put the pressure on the clock.

52:53 He knows he has to play fast.

52:55 The clock will be as important, if not more, than the moves played on the board.

53:01 Very, very quick moves from Weii.

53:03 He was the one who uh was under pressure from the previous opening.

53:06 Hikaro with a quick winning advantage, but Hikaru this time going king side,

53:11 castling his king to that right flank.

53:13 It means he's going for a more solid type of position,

53:16 maybe where calculation less of a necessity,

53:19 but ultimately all the pieces on the board, just one pawn trade.

53:22 Very understandable that we has gone for a position like this.

53:24 That's got to suit the player playing with more time on the clock, right?

53:27 As few trades as can happen for as long as possible,

53:30 that has to be better for white.

53:32 So, we some great strategy right now in play.

53:34 Hikaru has to aim try to get a more liquidated position.

53:39 But what we have with the pawn formation,

53:41 four versus three on one side for both these players,

53:44 it's going to be hard to get those trades in.

53:46 And it it's too early to uh read

53:48 into any sort of conclusion from this, but Hikaru going

53:51 for a 20 second think already made me go maybe

53:54 wins just a little bit because this isn't any normal game.

53:57 Hikaru is now down to 6 minutes versus over 9.

54:00 That's going to play such a big part in this Armageddon game.

54:04 Not only is it not normal cuz it's an Armageddon,

54:06 it's not normal because of the story line that's happened in this match so far.

54:09 Right in game two, Hikaru winning throughout the game.

54:12 He was bobbing his head.

54:14 He was feeling it.

54:15 He was ready to snatch that spot into the quarterfinals and then suddenly Weii

54:19 pushing him to the break to the point where Weii was the one winning.

54:22 I mean that game flipped about 50 times going

54:25 into an Armageddon 6 minutes left on the clock.

54:27 I would say it's advantage way right now.

54:29 And I should mention a very very important point.

54:32 These two have recent history in Armageddon chess.

54:35 In Norway chess just a few months ago at the end of May,

54:38 beginning of June Wayi was a bit of a king when it came to Armageddon.

54:43 defeating Magnus Carlson, defeating Hikaru Nakamura.

54:46 Not many people are speedy enough to achieve that.

54:49 But uh to do it against the gruesome Tusome to the top two players in the world,

54:53 we has shown he has pedigree in this format.

54:56 He's leapt forward with a knight to F5.

54:58 Hikaru playing on the other flank,

54:59 hoping for some pawn trades, some uh simplification there.

55:03 But this game is only just beginning and still

55:05 with two and a half extra minutes on the clock away.

55:08 I think we've uh we we've passed the point where we're predicting winners,

55:12 but maybe we should be predicting who might

55:14 get into a winning position first given how many

55:16 times this match has flipped uh both psychologically

55:19 and over the board in the last half an hour.

55:22 This has been absolutely amazing to watch and we've

55:26 got potentially another 13 minutes of it left.

55:28 Weii now playing with just under 8 minutes on the clock.

55:32 Hikaru Nakamura just under six.

55:34 So that time advantage has been reduced to 2 minutes.

55:37 And once again we get to the first imbalance of the game.

55:40 This time it's way with the bishop pair.

55:42 Last time it was Hikaro Nakamura who made it work perfectly for himself,

55:46 you know, until the crazy time scramble happened.

55:48 Weii, can he again do the maneuvering game.

55:50 Can he find a way to get those beautiful diagonals going?

55:54 He needs to get active with his other pieces too.

55:56 The white queen not really participating right now.

55:59 It was a really reluctant trade.

56:00 He spent most of his time advantage where Yi

56:03 trading off that beautiful knight on F5 for a bishop.

56:05 So although he got the bishop pair,

56:06 he did have to part with his best piece, at least the most attacking piece.

56:11 And here, Hikaru, you can see how forceful he's playing.

56:13 He knows because of the clock situation, he needs to clarify the board.

56:17 He needs to get to an endame, go for trades.

56:18 He's now attacking white's bishop.

56:20 He's speeding up very, very quickly.

56:22 Uh he had that 3minut advantage.

56:24 A three-minute advantage was a two-minute advantage,

56:26 and now it's one and a half minutes.

56:28 Um, we could see par on the clock

56:31 by the time the players hit five minutes at this rate

56:33 and that would be mini disaster for Weii who

56:37 started with 10 minutes remember playing with the white pieces.

56:40 It's also a mustwin situation for him.

56:44 That is bad news.

56:44 And we see the trades come on and the bishop does fall back where

56:48 he always has to watch out for that D pawn moving forward as well.

56:51 If Hikaro is looking for more clarification on the board,

56:54 the black knight can jump onto some juicy outposts on the light squares.

56:58 Knight C5.

57:00 It happens.

57:00 The knight's not going to stop there.

57:03 Knight has its eyes on maybe the B3 square where he used that previously.

57:07 This time it might be Hikaru's turn.

57:08 Also D3 if he wants some trades to simplify uh things even further.

57:13 Looks great for Hikaru right now.

57:15 It's got to be said.

57:15 We Yi still with one extra minute.

57:17 Needs to speed up.

57:19 needs to keep as much tension uh as many

57:21 pieces on the board as possible, but not easy.

57:23 The black light squareed bishop also suddenly

57:25 on an open diagonal could come out to G4 and pin the white knight where it's not

57:30 been a great few moves this last half dozen.

57:32 It's gone in Hikaru's favor.

57:34 Yeah, it's we need a plan and quick, right?

57:36 We've got the two bishops.

57:37 They're looking uh pretty benign right now.

57:40 They have decent diagonals, but the other pieces aren't really backing them up.

57:43 The rooks nowhere to be seen.

57:45 The queen is still on her home square.

57:46 So, we need a little bit of a follow-up to this plan

57:49 to figure out how it's all going to come together for way.

57:52 There is still time to make that happen.

57:53 But with the time advantage now disappearing

57:56 almost under a minute, about 40 seconds,

57:59 we're struggling to see where the advantage could come

58:02 from in a game where his opponent has draw odds.

58:06 Yeah, I do fear for way here.

58:07 Hikaru's last move is a real clampdown of white's chances.

58:12 There's a pawn attacked on C3.

58:14 That one is loose, but more importantly,

58:15 the white light square bishop has been blunted.

58:18 You don't want to trade off, but how can you hold things together

58:20 where he's struggling to find the way forward?

58:23 And it's been awesome to watch Hikaru on the camera.

58:25 Just the shift in his body language, right?

58:27 It looked like he was so disturbed

58:28 about everything that had happened in game two.

58:30 Couldn't stop shaking his head, the frustration on the face.

58:33 The moment it's go time,

58:34 the moves come on the board, he completely forgets about it.

58:37 He's locked in.

58:38 He's in the zone right now, playing incredible chess.

58:40 Now, he moves in with that knight.

58:42 Well, two pawns hanging.

58:43 He says you can't take either of them.

58:45 The C3 you can't pick up.

58:46 The queen will line up with the bishop, threaten the check.

58:49 Knight on C6 hanging as well.

58:51 E5 pawn would also lead to certain forks on the board.

58:54 Tactics everywhere.

58:55 And there's one guy who usually excels when that's the case.

58:59 Exactly right.

59:00 I mean, you don't want to be leaving tactics on the board

59:02 uh when you are playing against these absolute giants of the game.

59:07 A small shake of the head there from Weii recognizing that the threat

59:10 of the game maybe has gone away from him a little bit, but if I'm being honest,

59:16 that's happened to him before already in this match and he

59:19 has found a way back from that before in this match.

59:23 Yeah, way to go from way.

59:25 His heart rate has been around the 140 mark for the last hour.

59:28 That is high intensity chess.

59:30 We see a trade of knights.

59:31 Bit of a dilemma how to retake this knight.

59:34 You can take it with the bishop, pawn, queen.

59:36 Either way, there's another pawn hanging.

59:37 The black queen can capture on H4.

59:39 On the next move, Hikaru,

59:40 just as he was in the previous game, could go a pawn up.

59:45 Black, he's fighting back.

59:47 Hikaru is in this position to get uh that advantage.

59:51 H4 pawn could be picked up on the next move.

59:53 But as they say, when there's a will, there's a way.

59:55 And how will he keep this game going?

59:57 But that's not going to be enough because you have to get the win in.

1:00:00 Now, you've got this bishop pair for Wei.

1:00:02 Even if he loses the pawns,

1:00:03 it's going to be about finding those active diagonals for his pieces.

1:00:07 Is there hope for that?

1:00:09 There is hope, but he has to move.

1:00:10 He's about to go below on the clock for the first time in this game.

1:00:15 Wow.

1:00:14 Seismic moment.

1:00:15 Momentum shift as well.

1:00:17 Wayi, he's just not got things going.

1:00:21 Feels like he's trying too hard to conjure up something.

1:00:23 It's not there yet.

1:00:24 You need to save your time.

1:00:25 Put it in the bank for later.

1:00:27 I did not think this would happen coming into the game.

1:00:30 And I thought maybe uh we would see

1:00:32 something very very decisive on the board prior

1:00:35 to getting to a position where Hikaru Nakabura

1:00:37 has time in the bank now compared to Wayi.

1:00:41 Remember he started with 6 minutes and 49 seconds

1:00:45 on the clock and at the moment is giving us a masterclass

1:00:49 vintage Hikaru using a fraction of the time of his opponent

1:00:52 but getting into an excellent position on the board.

1:00:55 Hikaro just has result odds now.

1:00:58 You know, with the clocks leveling out, not even leveling out, up on the clock.

1:01:01 Hikaru Nakamura needs only a draw.

1:01:03 You know, he's up a pawn.

1:01:04 It's not easy for Weii to capture that knight on E4 to win it back.

1:01:08 That would allow immense activity to Hikaru's light squad bishop.

1:01:11 So, Weii trying to get some complications in, rushes in with his rook,

1:01:16 blocked that attack is right now.

1:01:18 And you want to avoid as many trades as possible if you're way.

1:01:21 Now, the result odds look super important right now.

1:01:24 Oh, he moves his bishop out.

1:01:25 Hikaro is happy to trade rooks,

1:01:27 happy to go into opposite color bishop endg games

1:01:30 where he knows the draw is up his sleeve.

1:01:32 Yes, he's 35 seconds uh up on the clock as well.

1:01:36 But uh for now, Weii, he just needs to trust his instincts.

1:01:39 He needs to move fast.

1:01:40 He defended so well in the previous game.

1:01:42 Just keep the tension, stay at least in touching distance on the clock.

1:01:46 Swing the other rook across or trade rooks, retreat your rook, whatever.

1:01:50 Either way, he just needs to move.

1:01:53 Hikaru Nakamura knocking on the door of Weii now,

1:01:56 saying, "Look, I understand you've got amazing composure.

1:01:59 Nothing seems to be phasing you, but I'm faster.

1:02:03 I'm going to win this.

1:02:05 What are you going to do to stop me?" And he's

1:02:08 asking some real serious questions now of the Wayu Gaming player.

1:02:13 That said, we has found ways back before,

1:02:16 but withdraws, I'm not sure that's enough here.

1:02:20 Yeah, big moment.

1:02:21 There is a bit of a threat of the white queen taking

1:02:23 the D5 pawn as the black rook is pinned on the back rank.

1:02:28 So, uh dealing with that is the first order of business for Hikaru Nakamura.

1:02:31 He needs to identify that threat.

1:02:33 He actually retreats with his rook allowing a trade.

1:02:36 There might be some simplifications, but only offering safety.

1:02:41 I don't think we necessarily wants to trade rooks, wants to grab this pawn.

1:02:44 The black knight would actually be taking things

1:02:46 and we would see things fizzle towards a draw.

1:02:49 Hikaru definitely using the fact that he has those result odds now.

1:02:54 And we doesn't have an option even if objectively that was

1:02:57 the best decision which would safely guide the game towards a draw.

1:03:00 He needs to keep it going even if it means that he's worse.

1:03:03 And now once again left with a decision with the black rook pinned.

1:03:07 Does he grab that central pawn on D5?

1:03:09 Queen takes pawn still in the air.

1:03:11 It would allow the black knight to jump

1:03:13 to C3 where he's going to repeat it once.

1:03:15 He might even repeat it twice,

1:03:16 but in no in no reality will he do it the third time.

1:03:20 There we go.

1:03:21 He dodges the draw, dodges the repetition out of necessity.

1:03:24 Wayi, we saw Hikaru on his screen with some prem moves earlier.

1:03:27 Feeling very confident there.

1:03:29 The problem is black is holding the fort.

1:03:31 The white queen is stuck in two minds.

1:03:34 It's useful as a defensive piece.

1:03:36 Therefore, it cannot really move.

1:03:38 Cannot help capture any pawns.

1:03:40 way lacking a plan and that is the hardest situation

1:03:42 to be in under a time pressure like this time crunch

1:03:46 and it just keeps increasing right almost now a minute

1:03:48 a deficit there he does try to activate the bishop

1:03:51 from another diagonal finding a new route to try

1:03:54 to get to the C6 square from where it can

1:03:56 attack that central D5 pawn if we is able

1:03:59 to get to that pawn then it's game on then

1:04:01 he's talking then he's looking for those winning chances cuz

1:04:04 it will leave Hikaru with a big weakness on C4

1:04:08 okay big moment Hikaru 30 seconds extra If he can blitz through the next five,

1:04:11 six moves and not drop the pawn back,

1:04:14 not allow any counterplay, Hikaru is just going to take this.

1:04:16 He's getting closer.

1:04:18 The panic, that face again appearing.

1:04:20 Hikaru not enjoying the uh the time pressure here that he's under.

1:04:24 He swings his queen across, prevents that bishop moving.

1:04:28 This is exactly what happened in that second game, right?

1:04:30 Hikaru close to winning, close to just wrapping things up.

1:04:33 And then you could see it.

1:04:34 He just froze in that moment, just burning the clock.

1:04:37 And in time scramble, crazy things happen.

1:04:40 Queen B7 played, stopping the idea where he needs

1:04:43 to find a way to activate that dark squad bishop.

1:04:46 You start seeing ghosts.

1:04:47 You start evaluating threats that aren't as credible as they

1:04:51 would be if you looked at them with objective eyes.

1:04:54 It's not that anything's a lie.

1:04:55 It's that everything looks threatening and you

1:04:58 feel like you have to calculate everything.

1:05:00 E6.

1:05:01 Huge throw of the dice here from Weii.

1:05:03 Do not take this pawn.

1:05:04 Hikaru cannot capture this pawn as the white rook would

1:05:06 step up to the seventh rank and skewer the black queen.

1:05:09 There would be checkmating ideas.

1:05:11 The kiss of death idea on G7.

1:05:13 The white queen is coming.

1:05:14 Hikaru panicking again.

1:05:16 He missed it.

1:05:17 He didn't see this this tactical resource.

1:05:20 And we he expressionless.

1:05:22 There's nothing that you can read on him.

1:05:23 Hikaru calms himself down.

1:05:25 Brings the queen back to the defense.

1:05:26 Pawn takes pawn.

1:05:27 Would have been a big blunder.

1:05:28 But now we gets his opportunity.

1:05:30 There are open lines on the board.

1:05:32 That looks like a huge step in the right direction.

1:05:34 Suddenly the black king doesn't have as much protection around it.

1:05:38 The white pawn was in the way anyway.

1:05:40 So that trade really beneficial.

1:05:41 But we shaking his head.

1:05:42 At least he's getting his bishop into the action.

1:05:45 This one is anyone's game.

1:05:46 The board state is so delicately poised.

1:05:50 We unhappy with that decision that he just made

1:05:52 because now it feels he can't avoid a rook trade.

1:05:54 And more pieces off the board, the better it is for Hikaru Nakamura.

1:05:58 Rook A8.

1:05:59 Almost forced there by Weii.

1:06:00 And this is the first time I've seen him unhappy with his decision.

1:06:04 He leans back way.

1:06:05 He looks really dejected somehow.

1:06:08 Maybe fearing this move.

1:06:09 There we go.

1:06:10 Hikaru forcing the queens off the board.

1:06:12 That black queen is hitting not just

1:06:13 the white queen but both of white's bishops.

1:06:16 If the queens disappear, winning chances might fade as well.

1:06:19 And it's more about the clock.

1:06:20 2 minutes versus 1 minute.

1:06:22 This is danger zone.

1:06:24 Hikaru so so fast now.

1:06:26 Way so resourceful.

1:06:28 He had the opportunities to maybe mix things up a bit,

1:06:31 but as more pieces get traded off the board,

1:06:34 there's very little for him to work with right now.

1:06:36 And with the queens off as well.

1:06:38 Where's the win?

1:06:40 It doesn't exist.

1:06:41 Hikaru needs only a draw.

1:06:42 Wayi is under one minute on the clock.

1:06:45 The queens are off the board.

1:06:46 Hikaru Nakamura has an extra pawn.

1:06:47 That pawn has been picked up, but the C3 pawn hanging as well.

1:06:51 He's just been overthinking it.

1:06:52 Wayi's been too much in his own head.

1:06:55 The shake of the head there.

1:06:56 He needed to just blitz it and hope.

1:06:58 Yes, it's a bad position.

1:07:00 Yes, it looks for Lorn now with those two black pawns marching,

1:07:03 but it is more about the clock that gives Hikaru confidence.

1:07:06 He's trading off from a position of strength.

1:07:09 He knows he only needs a draw.

1:07:11 Given a question mark,

1:07:11 but let's ignore that one as the white rook slides across.

1:07:14 We'll see some trades.

1:07:15 The black knight's going to step out the way.

1:07:17 The pawns will advance.

1:07:19 Nothing stopping them.

1:07:20 The white bishop steps forward, attacks the rook way down to 25 seconds.

1:07:25 Hikaru with the hand movement says he's seen it all.

1:07:28 Rook D5.

1:07:29 Hikaru knows he's so close to getting to the quarterfinals.

1:07:32 Wayi looks like he's got his hand over the resign button.

1:07:34 20 seconds.

1:07:35 Hikaru Nakamura goes through.

1:07:37 Speed, resilience, and grit.

1:07:40 What a gripping match there.

1:07:42 Hikaru Nakamura books his place alongside his team Falcon's teammate

1:07:48 in the quarterfinals of Chess of the Esports World Cup.

1:07:52 But my goodness was there drama along the way.

1:07:57 That was an extremely hard-fought victory.

1:07:59 Fantastic character shown from both players.

1:08:02 But in the end, Nakamura emerges victorious.

1:08:06 Wow.

1:08:07 So up and down.

1:08:08 So fitting that it had to end in Armageddon.

1:08:11 The only way to separate these two fantastic players.

1:08:13 Wayi played out of his skin, but ultimately not enough.

1:08:17 What a fight.

1:08:17 This was what a match.

1:08:19 This was an absolute blockbuster.

1:08:20 I mean, are you not entertained here at the esports

1:08:23 world cup seeing these two beasts take it down

1:08:26 to the wire and Hikaru finally showing why he is

1:08:29 such a big boss here in this endgame in this Armageddon.

1:08:32 It was a Hikaru Nakamura show and with that he's

1:08:35 the one who goes through to the quarterfinals.

1:08:38 There are so many emotions throughout that game,

1:08:42 let alone throughout that match.

1:08:44 Let's hear them from the man himself while they are still fresh

1:08:47 in his head advancing to the quarterfinals of the Esports World Cup.