The big favorite in the finale of the new official WM format Fischer-Random-Schach was Magnus Carlsen, the number one in classical chess. But in the final series against the Americans Wesley So Carlsen was clearly inferior. Thus won the final with four wins and two draws from six games, making it the first of the World Federation Fide officially recognized world champion in Fischer Random chess.
Wesley So has been defeated @MagnusCarlsen and wins the
Fischer Random World Chess Championship! Fr # frchess pic.twitter.com/8P0RtSizxC
On the first day of the finals on Friday, Carlsen lost to So three times. However, the American did not want to copy Carlsen off. He expected his opponent to fight back "like a lion," So said after the first four games. But nothing came of it. On Saturday So secured a draw and a victory. That was enough for the title.
The 26-year-old Sun is in the classic chess twelfth in the world rankings, he started as an outsider in the semifinals. Carlsen congratulated his rival for the final and said he was "ashamed" of his own game.
Bronze won the Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi, he prevailed in the duel for the third place against the American Fabiano Caruana. Carlsen had defeated Caruana, runner-up in classic chess, in the semifinals.
Fischer Random Chess, also called Chess 960, is a variant of the classic chess, which is primarily to challenge the creativity of the players. The figures on the baselines are not at the beginning in the classical formation, but are randomly mixed according to slightly restrictive rules. This makes the opening theory of classic chess useless.
Carlsen, world champion in classic chess since 2013, was considered a favorite for the title because of his creative playing style - also because he had won the unofficial World Cup in the Fischer Random Chess 2018. The format was officially recognized by the World Association only this year.
In classic chess Carlsen is currently the best player in the world, in the traditional format he is unbeaten since 101 games.
