The London Chess Classics has come to an exciting lack of conclusion – a three way tie between Giri, Vachier-Lagrave and Carlsen, all sharing first position with 5,5/9. Such a result was not acceptable and the players had to settle the very rare three-way draw using the following system:
Based on tiebrakers, Carlsen is leading the pack and that leaves Anish Giri and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave to play two games of rapid chess. If they are tied again after those, they will play a single Armageddon match to determine a winner between them.
Magnus Carlsen is expecting the winner for a two game final at the same time controls. However, in an interesting turn of events, in case Vachier-Lagrave wins both matches (against Giri and Carlsen), he and Carlsen will play in a separate playoff to decide the overall Grand Chess Tour winner on Monday.
Update 1: Vachier-Lagrave has won 1 rapid game with black and Anish Giri won the return game with black too. In the Armageddon round, Vachier-Lagrave piloted the black pieces to a decisive victory in 42 moves. He will now face off against Carlsen in what could be the first of two final playoffs.
Update 2: Magnus Carlsen wins with white in the first of two rapid games against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave.
Update 3: Carlsen and Vachier-Lagrave tie in the second game. GM Magnus Carlsen wins London Chess Classic and is the overall winner of the Grand Chess Tour. Congratulations!
Stay tuned for a full report
Replay the games with computer analysis here
