Tie-breaks of the FIDE World Cup Final and 3rd place match were played on October 4 in Khanty-Mansiysk.
Teimour Radjabov had White in the first rapid game. The advantage passed from one player to another a few times, yet the game ended in a draw. The second encounter took a calmer course and quickly reached the peaceful outcome.
In the first 10-minute game Radjabov got an advantage as Black in the English Opening, but Ding Liren managed to survive. In the second 10-minute game the opponents also preferred not to break lances and shook hands on the 30th move.
In the first blitz game, Radjabov outplayed his opponent in a minor piece ending with Black, although Ding Liren did not fully exploit the defensive potential of his position. In the return game, the Chinese grandmaster tried to mount a comeback but was eventually defeated as well.
Thus, the score in the Final is 6:4 in favor of Teimour Radjabov, who becomes the winner of the 2019 FIDE World Cup.
In the 3rd place match, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave celebrated a convincing victory in the first game, playing White. Yu Yangyi was unable to alter the course of the match in the second game, losing as White in 24 moves. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave wins the bronze of the World Cup.
In an interview afterward, the Frenchman said he is very happy about his play in the rapid games. He is planning have some drinks with his friends, get some rest and then start his preparation for the 3rd leg of the FIDE Grand Prix in November.
Both finalists of the World Cup secured spots in the Candidates Tournament, which will take place in the spring of 2020 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. According to the regulations, the 3rd place finisher of the World Cup can also be included in the Candidates Tournament, if nominated by the organizer.
Total prize fund of the FIDE World Cup is $1,600,000. The winner received $110,000, the runner-up got $80,000.
Before the main prize-giving ceremony, Mark Glukhovsky, Executive Director of the Chess Federation of Russia, announced the winner of the Brilliancy Prize, provided by the Russian Chess Federation in cooperation with AB InBev Efes.
We remind you that a jury led by Maxim Notkin, Chief Editor of 64-Chess Review, made shortlists of 4-5 most exciting games after the rounds 1-2, 3-4, and 5-6. After that, an online poll was created and announced on the official site of the event and social media. The candidate games of the main and consolation finals were nominated by the jury.
The final shortlist consisted of four games: Firouzja – Dubov, Xiong – Duda, Radjabov – Vachier-Lagrave, and Ding Liren – Radjabov.
The experts awarded the Brilliancy Prize to Ding Liren for his victory vs. Radjabov. The Chinese grandmaster received an elegant trophy.
The award ceremony was attended by Alexander Tirtoka, Deputy Governor of Ugra, and Mair Mammedov, FIDE Vice-President.
Source: fide.com
