Champions Chess Tour 2021

Last updated
Champions Chess Tour 2021
Details
Duration22 November 2020 – 4 October 2021
Tournaments10
CategoriesRegular (6)
Major (3)
Final (1)
Achievements (singles)
Most tournament titles Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen (4 titles)
Most tournament finals Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen (6)
Points leader Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen (339)
2020
2022

The Champions Chess Tour 2021, known for sponsorship reasons as the Meltwater Champions Chess Tour, [1] [2] was a 10-month long series of 10 online chess tournaments featuring the world's top players, playing for a prize money pool of US$1.5 million. [3] The tournament games are held on chess24.com and are broadcast on Twitch, YouTube, chess24.com itself, and the tour's official website. [3] The tour started on November 22, 2020, and lasted until October 4, 2021. [3] The tournaments were not rated by FIDE.

Contents

Format

There are 10 total tournaments in the tour: 6 labelled as Regular, 3 labelled as Major, and 1 Final. Each takes place towards the end of a month over the course of 9 days. [3]

Qualification

According to the tour regulations, there are 16 spots in a Regular tournament, 12 spots in a Major tournament, and 10 spots in the Final tournament. [4] However, after the first Major tournament (Airthings Masters), it was concluded that 8 out of 12 players advancing to the knockout round rewarded cautious play, and the remaining Major tournaments (Magnus Carlsen Invitational and FTX Crypto Cup) were conducted with 16 players. [5]

For each of the Regular tournaments except for the first one, 8 of the 16 spots are given to the current top 8 players in the Tour Rankings. The rest of the spots are given out via wild cards, invitations, or popular votes. [4] The 16 spots for the first tournament of the tour are chosen via the decision of the event organizers.

For the Major tournaments, 8 of the spots are also given to the current top 8 players in the Tour Rankings. The winner of the preceding Regular tournament is also given a spot, if he or she is not already in the top 8. The rest of the spots are given via wild cards.

For the Final tournament, 8 of the 10 spots are given first to the winners of the 3 Major tournaments, then down the standings of the Tour Rankings. The final 2 spots are given to the best-performing "Tour Ambassadors." [4]

Schedule

DatesTournament NameType
November 22–30, 2020 Skilling Open Regular
December 26, 2020 – January 3, 2021 Airthings Masters Major
February 6–14, 2021 Opera Euro Rapid Regular
March 13–21, 2021 Magnus Carlsen Invitational 2021 Major
April 24 – May 2, 2021 New In Chess Classic Regular
May 23–31, 2021 FTX Crypto Cup Major
June 26 – July 4, 2021 Goldmoney Asian Rapid Regular
July 31 – August 8, 2021 Chessable Masters Regular
August 28 – September 5, 2021 Aimchess US Rapid Regular
September 25 – October 4, 2021 Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Finals Final

Time controls

Three different time controls are used in the tour:

Tournament formats

Regular

The Regular tournaments consist of a preliminary round and 3 knockout rounds. In the preliminary round, the 16 players participate in a round-robin spanning 3 days (5 games per day), with each player playing the other players for 1 rapid game, for a total of 120 games. The top 8 players with the most points advance to the next round and are seeded for the purposes of making the bracket based on their points. In the event that 2 or more players are tied with points, the following system is used: [4]

  1. Points won in matches involving the tied players
  2. Number of wins
  3. Sonneborn–Berger score
  4. Koya score

In the knockout rounds, each matchup consists of 2 matches of 4 rapid games on back-to-back days. If either player wins one match and at least draws the other, he advances on to the next round. If each player wins one match or both matches are drawn, immediately following the second match, the players play 2 blitz games. If the blitz games are split, the winner is determined via an Armageddon game. The higher seed in each matchup picks the color for the first game, the first tiebreaker, and the Armageddon. In addition to the games between players who advanced, there is also a match for third place between the semifinal losers. [4]

Major

The Major tournaments operate the same way as the Regular tournaments. It is still the top 8 players who qualify for the knockout rounds.

Final

The Final only consists of one round-robin for the 10 players, spanning 9 days (1 matchup per day). Each matchup will comprise 4 rapid games. If the 4 points are split among the two players, then 2 blitz games are played, followed by Armageddon if the blitz games are split. 3 points are awarded for an outright win (no tiebreak needed), 2 points are awarded for a tiebreak win, and 1 point is awarded for a tiebreak loss. [4]

In addition to these points, the players start off with bonus points based on their Tour rankings coming into the Final. The player with the fewest Tour points gets 0 bonus points, and the other players are awarded half a point for every full 10 points they have more than the player with the least number. For example, if Player A has the fewest Tour points with 86, a Player B with 143 Tour points will be awarded 2.5 points, since they exceed Player A's total by 57 (no rounding). [4]

The player with the greatest sum of bonus points and points won in the Final will be crowned the Tour Champion.

Tour points

For Regular tournaments, points are awarded as follows. [4]

FinishPoints
Winner40
Runner-up25
3rd place15
4th place10

In other words, a player receives 10 points for winning in the quarterfinals, 15 points for winning in the semifinals, 15 points for winning the final and 5 points for winning the match for third place. The regulations were present for most of the tournament, excluding the Skilling Open tournament; in that tournament of the tour, the runner-up was awarded 20 points and the two remaining semi-finalists were each awarded 10 points, without a match for 3rd place. [6]

Additional points are also awarded to finishes in the preliminary round:

FinishPoints
1st10
2nd8
3rd6
4th5
5th4
6th3
7th2
8th1
9th–16th0

The points system for Major tournaments is the same, but all values are doubled. [4]

In the event that two players are tied for the same number of Tour points, the following tiebreak system will be used: [4]

  1. Number of tournament wins
  2. Number of tournament appearances (fewer is better)
  3. Number of final appearances
  4. Number of semi-final appearances
  5. Number of quarter-final appearances

The administrators of the tournament also have the right to substitute a tiebreak match if the tie is for a qualification spot.

Prize money

Regular

The total prize pool for a Regular tournament is $100,000. The money is split as follows: [4]

FinishPrize
Winner$30,000
Runner-up$15,000
3rd place$8,500
4th place$6,500
Quarterfinalist$5,000
Preliminary$2,500

The regulations were changed after the Skilling Open tournament; in this first tournament of the tour, the players who lost in the semifinals each received $7,500, without a match for 3rd place. [6]

Major

The total prize pool for a Major tournament is $200,000. The money is split as follows: [4]

FinishPrize
Winner$60,000
Runner-up$40,000
3rd place$25,000
4th place$15,000
Quarterfinalist$10,000
Preliminary$5,000

Final

The prize pool for the final is $300,000, which is split as follows: [4]

FinishPrize
1st$100,000
2nd$60,000
3rd$40,000
4th$30,000
5th$20,000
6th$15,000
7th$12,500
8th$10,000
9th$7,500
10th$5,000

Results

Tournament results

DatesTournament NameTypeWinnerRunner-Up3rd Place4th Place
November 22–30, 2020 Skilling Open Regular Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen Flag of the United States.svg Hikaru Nakamura
Flag of Russia.svg Ian Nepomniachtchi
December 26, 2020 – January 3, 2021 Airthings Masters Major Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Teimour Radjabov Flag of Armenia.svg Levon Aronian Flag of France.svg Maxime Vachier-Lagrave Flag of Russia.svg Daniil Dubov
February 6–14, 2021 Opera Euro Rapid Regular Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So

(2)

Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Teimour Radjabov Flag of France.svg Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
March 13–21, 2021 Magnus Carlsen Invitational Major Flag of the Netherlands.svg Anish Giri Flag of Russia.svg Ian Nepomniachtchi Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So
April 24 – May 2, 2021 New In Chess Classic Regular Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen Flag of the United States.svg Hikaru Nakamura Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Shakhriyar Mamedyarov Flag of Armenia.svg Levon Aronian
May 23–31, 2021 FTX Crypto Cup Major Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen (2) Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So Flag of Russia.svg Ian Nepomniachtchi Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Teimour Radjabov
June 26 – July 4, 2021 Goldmoney Asian Rapid Regular Flag of Armenia.svg Levon Aronian Flag of Russia.svg Vladislav Artemiev Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Ding Liren
July 31 – August 8, 2021 Chessable Masters Regular Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So

(3)

Flag of Vietnam.svg Lê Quang Liêm Flag of Russia.svg Vladislav Artemiev Flag of Armenia.svg Levon Aronian
August 28 – September 5, 2021 Aimchess US Rapid Regular Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen (3) Flag of Russia.svg Vladislav Artemiev Flag of Armenia.svg Levon Aronian Flag of France.svg Alireza Firouzja [7]
September 25 – October 4, 2021 Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Finals Final Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen (4) Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Teimour Radjabov Flag of Armenia.svg Levon Aronian Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So

Tour rankings

The column labelled "Wins" indicates the number of tournament wins.

The column labelled "Apps" indicates the number of tournament appearances (including the ongoing tournament, if any).

The winners of the Major tournaments are invited to the Final tournament, as are the 5 players (or more if one player has won more than one Major) with the highest tour ranking among the remaining players. Two additional players are invited as wild cards. As the winners of the Major tournaments (Teimour Radjabov, Anish Giri and Magnus Carlsen) are guaranteed a place in the Final. An asterisk denotes a Major.

PosNameWinsApps Skilling Open Airthings Masters* Opera Euro Rapid Magnus Carlsen Invitational* New In Chess Classic FTX Crypto Cup* Goldmoney Asian Rapid Chessable Masters Aimchess US Rapid Total
1 Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen 383020355050862048339
2 Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So 39461646325584504261
3 Flag of Armenia.svg Levon Aronian 1945652140501821170
4 Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Teimour Radjabov 16388170124133
5 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Anish Giri 17108961620123
6 Flag of Russia.svg Ian Nepomniachtchi 05151005832115
7 Flag of the United States.svg Hikaru Nakamura 0718120103312590
8 Flag of Russia.svg Vladislav Artemiev 0333193587
9 Flag of France.svg Maxime Vachier-Lagrave 0623414410064
10 Flag of Vietnam.svg Lê Quang Liêm 040228030
11 Flag of France.svg Alireza Firouzja [lower-alpha 1] 070630061530
12 Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 0502102326
13 Flag of Russia.svg Daniil Dubov 0522100023
14 Flag of the United States.svg Fabiano Caruana 012020
15 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Ding Liren 040001616
16 Flag of Poland.svg Jan-Krzysztof Duda 05030328
17 Flag of India.svg Arjun Erigaisi 0111
18 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jorden van Foreest 030101
Flag of the United States.svg Leinier Domínguez 030011
20 Flag of the United States.svg Daniel Naroditsky 0100
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Eric Hansen 0100
Flag of the United States.svg Awonder Liang 0100
Flag of the United States.svg Abhimanyu Mishra 0100
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Ju Wenjun 0100
Flag of India.svg Koneru Humpy 0100
Flag of Spain.svg Eduardo Iturrizaga 0100
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Hou Yifan 0100
Flag of India.svg Gukesh D 0100
Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Salem Saleh 0100
Flag of India.svg Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa 0100
Flag of England.svg Gawain Jones 0100
Flag of Norway.svg Johan-Sebastian Christiansen 0100
Flag of the United States.svg Sam Shankland 0100
Flag of Germany.svg Matthias Bluebaum 0100
Flag of Sweden.svg Nils Grandelius 0100
32 Flag of India.svg Pentala Harikrishna 02000
Flag of India.svg Adhiban Baskaran 02000
Flag of Norway.svg Aryan Tari 02000
Flag of Argentina.svg Alan Pichot 02000
37 Flag of Russia.svg Peter Svidler 030000
Flag of Russia.svg Alexander Grischuk 030000
Flag of Russia.svg Sergey Karjakin 030000
40 Flag of Spain.svg David Antón Guijarro 0400000
41 Flag of India.svg Vidit Gujrathi 05000000

Tournaments

Skilling Open

The results of the preliminary round were as follows. [9]

NameELO01020304050607080910111213141516Points
01Flag of Norway.svg  Magnus Carlsen  (Norway)2881-½½0½1½½1½½11½019
02Flag of the United States.svg  Hikaru Nakamura  (United States)2829½-½1½½½½10½½1½1½9
03Flag of the United States.svg  Wesley So  (United States)2741½½-½1½½½01½½½½½1
04Flag of Russia.svg  Ian Nepomniachtchi  (Russia)277810½-½1½½½½½½01½1
05Flag of Armenia.svg  Levon Aronian  (Armenia)2778½½0½-0½101½1½½11
06Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Teimour Radjabov  (Azerbaijan)27580½½01-1½1½0½0½118
07Flag of France.svg  Maxime Vachier-Lagrave  (France)2860½½½½½0-½½1½½10½18
08Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Anish Giri  (Netherlands)2731½½½½0½½-01½1½½1½8
09FIDE flag icon.png  Alireza Firouzja  (FIDE)2703001½10½1-01½1½108
10Flag of Vietnam.svg  Lê Quang Liêm  (Vietnam)2744½10½0½001-½½111½8
11Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  Ding Liren  (China)2836½½½½½1½½0½-½1½½0
12Flag of India.svg  Vidit Gujrathi  (India)26360½½½0½½0½½½-110½
13Flag of Spain.svg  David Antón Guijarro  (Spain)266700½1½10½0000-111
14Flag of Russia.svg  Peter Svidler  (Russia)2742½½½0½½1½½0½00-½½6
15Flag of Russia.svg  Sergey Karjakin  (Russia)270910½½00½000½10½-1
16Flag of Poland.svg  Jan-Krzysztof Duda  (Poland)27740½00000½1½1½0½0-

The results of the knockout rounds were as follows. [10]

 
Quarterfinal (November 25–26)Semifinal (November 27–28)Final (November 29–30)
 
                
 
 
 
 
Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen 2-
 
 
 
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Anish Giri 2-
 
Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen 2-
 
 
 
Flag of Russia.svg Ian Nepomniachtchi 2-
 
Flag of Armenia.svg Levon Aronian 10
 
 
 
Flag of Russia.svg Ian Nepomniachtchi 32
 
Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen 22½
 
 
 
Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So 22
 
Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So ½*
 
 
 
Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Teimour Radjabov
 
Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So 2-
 
 
 
Flag of the United States.svg Hikaru Nakamura 2-
 
Flag of France.svg Maxime Vachier-Lagrave 3½
 
 
Flag of the United States.svg Hikaru Nakamura 1*
 

* This player advanced by drawing as black in an Armageddon game.

Airthings Masters

The results of the preliminary round were as follows. [11]

NameELO010203040506070809101112Points
01Flag of Norway.svg  Magnus Carlsen  (Norway)2881-½1½½½½1½½½½
02Flag of the United States.svg  Wesley So  (United States)2741½-½½½½½1½½1½
03Flag of the United States.svg  Hikaru Nakamura  (United States)28290½-½½½½½½111
04Flag of Russia.svg  Ian Nepomniachtchi  (Russia)2778½½½-½½11½0½½6
05Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Teimour Radjabov  (Azerbaijan)2758½½½½-½½½½½½16
06Flag of Armenia.svg  Levon Aronian  (Armenia)2778½½½½½-½½½½10
07Flag of France.svg  Maxime Vachier-Lagrave  (France)2860½½½0½½-½½10½5
08Flag of Russia.svg  Daniil Dubov  (Russia)277000½0½½½-½½115
09Flag of India.svg  Pentala Harikrishna  (India)2705½½½½½½½½-½0½5
10Flag of Russia.svg  Alexander Grischuk  (Russia)2784½½01½½0½½-½½5
11Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Anish Giri  (Netherlands)2731½00½½0101½-½
12Flag of Spain.svg  David Antón Guijarro  (Spain)2667½½0½01½0½½½-

The results of the knockout rounds were as follows. [12]

 
Quarterfinal (December 29–30)Semifinal (Dec 31 - Jan 1)Final (January 2–3)
 
                
 
 
 
 
Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen 2½-
 
 
 
Flag of Russia.svg Daniil Dubov 2-
 
Flag of Russia.svg Daniil Dubov 10-
 
 
 
Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Teimour Radjabov 32-
 
Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Teimour Radjabov 22*
 
 
 
Flag of Russia.svg Ian Nepomniachtchi 22
 
Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Teimour Radjabov 2-
 
 
 
Flag of Armenia.svg Levon Aronian 1-
 
Flag of the United States.svg Hikaru Nakamura 0-
 
 
 
Flag of Armenia.svg Levon Aronian 2-
 
Flag of Armenia.svg Levon Aronian 32-
 
 
 
Flag of France.svg Maxime Vachier-Lagrave 11-3rd place (January 2–3)
 
Flag of France.svg Maxime Vachier-Lagrave 3*
 
 
 
Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So 1
 
Flag of Russia.svg Daniil Dubov 2-
 
 
Flag of France.svg Maxime Vachier-Lagrave 2-
 

* This player advanced by drawing as black in an Armageddon game.

Opera Euro Rapid

NameELO01020304050607080910111213141516Points
01Flag of Norway.svg  Magnus Carlsen  (Norway)2881-½01½½½½11½11½10
02Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Anish Giri  (Netherlands)2731½-½½1½½½0½11½½11
03Flag of the United States.svg  Wesley So  (United States)27411½-½01½1½1½½0½1½9
04Flag of Armenia.svg  Levon Aronian  (Armenia)27780½½-1½½0½11½1½01
05Flag of France.svg  Maxime Vachier-Lagrave  (France)2860½010-½½1½½½½1½½1
06Flag of Poland.svg  Jan-Krzysztof Duda  (Poland)2774½½0½½-½1½½0½01118
07Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Teimour Radjabov  (Azerbaijan)2758½½½½½½-½½1½½½½½½8
08Flag of Russia.svg  Daniil Dubov  (Russia)2770½½0100½-½1½01½½1
09Flag of the United States.svg  Hikaru Nakamura  (United States)282901½½½½½½-00½½½11
10Flag of the United States.svg  Sam Shankland  (United States)26090½00½½001-½1½½117
11Flag of Russia.svg  Ian Nepomniachtchi  (Russia)2778½0½0½1½½1½-½010½7
12Flag of India.svg  Vidit Gujrathi  (India)263600½½½½½1½0½-1½½0
13Flag of the United States.svg  Leinier Domínguez  (United States)27860½1001½0½½10-1½0
14Flag of Russia.svg  Alexander Grischuk  (Russia)2784½½½½½0½½½½0½0-½1
15Flag of Germany.svg  Matthias Bluebaum  (Germany)25620001½0½½001½½½-½
16Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  Ding Liren  (China)283610½000½000½110½-5
 
Quarterfinal (February 9–10)Semifinal (February 11–12)Final (February 13–14)
 
                
 
 
 
 
Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen ½2
 
 
 
Flag of Russia.svg Daniil Dubov ½1
 
Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen 12
 
 
 
Flag of France.svg Maxime Vachier-Lagrave ½31
 
Flag of France.svg Maxime Vachier-Lagrave 2-
 
 
 
Flag of Armenia.svg Levon Aronian 2-
 
Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen 2-
 
 
 
Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So 2-
 
Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So 2-
 
 
 
Flag of Poland.svg Jan-Krzysztof Duda 0-
 
Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So 2-
 
 
 
Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Teimour Radjabov 1-3rd place (February 13–14)
 
Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Teimour Radjabov 22
 
 
 
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Anish Giri 22½
 
Flag of France.svg Maxime Vachier-Lagrave 0-
 
 
Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Teimour Radjabov 2-
 

Magnus Carlsen Invitational

NameELO01020304050607080910111213141516Points
01Flag of Norway.svg  Magnus Carlsen  (Norway)2881-0½½1½1½1½½1½11110½
02Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Anish Giri  (Netherlands)27311-1½0½½1½½½1½½1110
03Flag of the United States.svg  Wesley So  (United States)2741½0-½0½½111½½11½1
04Flag of the United States.svg  Hikaru Nakamura  (United States)2829½½½-½½½1½½½½1½½19
05Flag of Russia.svg  Ian Nepomniachtchi  (Russia)2778011½-½10½0½1½011
06FIDE flag icon.png  Alireza Firouzja  (FIDE)2703½½½½½-½½0½111½01
07Flag of France.svg  Maxime Vachier-Lagrave  (France)28600½½½0½-½½½11½½11
08Flag of Armenia.svg  Levon Aronian  (Armenia)2778½0001½½-1½½0½1118
09Flag of Russia.svg  Sergey Karjakin  (Russia)27090½0½½1½0-½10111½8
10Flag of Russia.svg  Daniil Dubov  (Russia)2770½½0½1½½½½-0½101½
11Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Teimour Radjabov  (Azerbaijan)2758½½½½½00½01-½½½1½7
12Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Shakhriyar Mamedyarov  (Azerbaijan)276100½½00011½½-110½
13Flag of Sweden.svg  Nils Grandelius  (Sweden)2632½½00½0½½00½0-1116
14Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Jorden van Foreest  (Netherlands)25430½0½1½½001½00-1½6
15Flag of Spain.svg  David Antón Guijarro  (Spain)267400½½0100000100-14
16Flag of Argentina.svg  Alan Pichot  (Argentina)254800000000½½½½0½0-
 
Quarterfinal (March 16–17)Semifinal (March 18–19)Final (March 20–21)
 
                
 
 
 
 
Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen 2-
 
 
 
Flag of Armenia.svg Levon Aronian ½1-
 
Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen ½
 
 
 
Flag of Russia.svg Ian Nepomniachtchi
 
Flag of Russia.svg Ian Nepomniachtchi 2-
 
 
 
Flag of the United States.svg Hikaru Nakamura 2½-
 
Flag of Russia.svg Ian Nepomniachtchi 220
 
 
 
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Anish Giri 222
 
Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So -
 
 
 
FIDE flag icon.png Alireza Firouzja ½½-
 
Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So -
 
 
 
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Anish Giri -3rd place (March 20–21)
 
Flag of France.svg Maxime Vachier-Lagrave 21-
 
 
 
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Anish Giri 23-
 
Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen 32-
 
 
Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So 11-
 

New In Chess Classic

NameELO01020304050607080910111213141516Points
01Flag of Norway.svg  Magnus Carlsen  (Norway)2881-½½½½11½11½½1½1½10½
02Flag of the United States.svg  Hikaru Nakamura  (United States)2829½-1½½½½½½1½½½½11
03Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Shakhriyar Mamedyarov  (Azerbaijan)2761½0-0½10½111½11½1
04Flag of the United States.svg  Wesley So  (United States)2741½½1-½0½½½11101019
05Flag of Armenia.svg  Levon Aronian  (Armenia)2778½½½½-01½½½½11½1½9
06FIDE flag icon.png  Alireza Firouzja  (FIDE)27030½011-½½10½½0111
07Flag of Vietnam.svg  Lê Quang Liêm  (Vietnam)27440½1½0½-½½½110½11
08Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Teimour Radjabov  (Azerbaijan)2758½½½½½½½-½1½0½½11
09Flag of the United States.svg  Leinier Domínguez  (United States)27860½0½½0½½-1½1½½118
10Flag of Norway.svg  Aryan Tari  (Norway)25310000½1½00-½111½17
11Flag of India.svg  Vidit Gujrathi  (India)2636½½00½½0½½½-½10117
12Flag of India.svg  Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa  (India)1781½½½00½0100½-11½17
13Flag of Poland.svg  Jan-Krzysztof Duda  (Poland)27740½01011½½000-½117
14Flag of Russia.svg  Sergey Karjakin  (Russia)2709½½00½0½½½010½-11
15Flag of England.svg  Gawain Jones  (England)261500½100000½0½00-½3
16Flag of Norway.svg  Johan-Sebastian Christiansen  (Norway)2521½000½000000000½-
 
Quarterfinal (April 27–28)Semifinal (April 29–30)Final (May 1–2)
 
                
 
 
 
 
Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen 2-
 
 
 
Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Teimour Radjabov 2-
 
Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen 23-
 
 
 
Flag of Armenia.svg Levon Aronian 21-
 
Flag of Armenia.svg Levon Aronian 32-
 
 
 
Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So 11-
 
Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen 32-
 
 
 
Flag of the United States.svg Hikaru Nakamura 12-
 
Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 3-
 
 
 
FIDE flag icon.png Alireza Firouzja 1½-
 
Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 131
 
 
 
Flag of the United States.svg Hikaru Nakamura 3023rd place (May 1–2)
 
Flag of Vietnam.svg Lê Quang Liêm 1-
 
 
 
Flag of the United States.svg Hikaru Nakamura 2-
 
Flag of Armenia.svg Levon Aronian 2½-
 
 
Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 2
 

FTX Crypto Cup

NameELO01020304050607080910111213141516Points
01Flag of the United States.svg  Fabiano Caruana  (United States)2773-1½½½½½1½0½1½11110
02Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Anish Giri  (Netherlands)27310-½½½½1½½½101½119
03Flag of the United States.svg  Hikaru Nakamura  (United States)2829½½-½½½½1½101½½½19
04Flag of France.svg  Maxime Vachier-Lagrave  (France)2860½½½-½1½1½0½½½½119
05Flag of the United States.svg  Wesley So  (United States)2741½½½½-½½½½½½½½1119
06Flag of Norway.svg  Magnus Carlsen  (Norway)2881½½½0½-1½01½½½11½
07Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Teimour Radjabov  (Azerbaijan)2758½0½½½0-1½½½11½½1
08Flag of Russia.svg  Ian Nepomniachtchi  (Russia)27780½00½½0-1½½½11118
09Flag of Armenia.svg  Levon Aronian  (Armenia)2778½½½½½1½0-010½½118
10Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Shakhriyar Mamedyarov  (Azerbaijan)27611½01½0½½1-0½½0½1
11FIDE flag icon.png  Alireza Firouzja  (FIDE)2703½01½½½½½01-½½1007
12Flag of Russia.svg  Peter Svidler  (Russia)2742010½½½0½1½½-½½017
13Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  Ding Liren  (China)2836½0½½½½00½½½½-½117
14Flag of Russia.svg  Daniil Dubov  (Russia)27700½½½00½0½10½½-½16
15Flag of Russia.svg  Alexander Grischuk  (Russia)278400½000½00½110½-15
16Flag of Argentina.svg  Alan Pichot  (Argentina)254800000½000010000-
 
Quarterfinal (May 26–27)Semifinal (May 28–29)Final (May 30–31)
 
                
 
 
 
 
Flag of the United States.svg Fabiano Caruana 22½
 
 
 
Flag of Russia.svg Ian Nepomniachtchi 22
 
Flag of Russia.svg Ian Nepomniachtchi 1-
 
 
 
Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So 2-
 
Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So 32-
 
 
 
Flag of France.svg Maxime Vachier-Lagrave 11-
 
Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So 221
 
 
 
Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen 222
 
Flag of the United States.svg Hikaru Nakamura 220
 
 
 
Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen 222
 
Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen 23-
 
 
 
Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Teimour Radjabov 21-3rd place (May 30–31)
 
Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Teimour Radjabov 2-
 
 
 
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Anish Giri 2-
 
Flag of Russia.svg Ian Nepomniachtchi 2-
 
 
Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Teimour Radjabov 2-
 

Goldmoney Asian Rapid

NameELO01020304050607080910111213141516Points
01Flag of Armenia.svg  Levon Aronian  (Armenia)2778-½½1½½½11½½11½1½10½
02Flag of Russia.svg  Vladislav Artemiev  (Russia)2757½-0½01½11½½1½11110
03Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  Ding Liren  (China)2836½1-½½0½½1½1½½11½
04Flag of Norway.svg  Magnus Carlsen  (Norway)28810½½-½½½½011½11½19
05Flag of the United States.svg  Wesley So  (United States)2741½1½½-10½½½½½½11½9
06Flag of Poland.svg  Jan-Krzysztof Duda  (Poland)2774½01½0-½½1½½110018
07Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Anish Giri  (Netherlands)2731½½½½1½-½1½0½1½0½8
08Flag of India.svg  Arjun Erigaisi  (India)228900½½½½½-½1½½1½½18
09FIDE flag icon.png  Alireza Firouzja  (FIDE)27030001½00½-½11½1118
10Flag of India.svg  Vidit Gujrathi  (India)2636½½½0½½½0½-100½117
11Flag of Russia.svg  Peter Svidler  (Russia)2742½½00½½1½00-½½011
12Flag of India.svg  Gukesh D  (India)192700½½½0½½01½-01½1
13Flag of Russia.svg  Daniil Dubov  (Russia)27700½½0½000½1½1-0½16
14Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  Salem Saleh  (United Arab Emirates)2718½00001½½0½101-0½
15Flag of India.svg  Adhiban Baskaran  (India)2624000½011½000½½1-05
16Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  Hou Yifan  (China)2621½0½0½0½000000½1-
 
Quarterfinal (June 29–30)Semifinal (July 1–2)Final (July 3–4)
 
                
 
 
 
 
Flag of Armenia.svg Levon Aronian 22
 
 
 
Flag of India.svg Arjun Erigaisi 22½
 
Flag of Armenia.svg Levon Aronian 32
 
 
 
Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen 10
 
Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So ½
 
 
 
Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen
 
Flag of Armenia.svg Levon Aronian 2-
 
 
 
Flag of Russia.svg Vladislav Artemiev 0-
 
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Ding Liren 23-
 
 
 
Flag of Poland.svg Jan-Krzysztof Duda 21-
 
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Ding Liren ½
 
 
 
Flag of Russia.svg Vladislav Artemiev ½3rd place (July 3–4)
 
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Anish Giri 01-
 
 
 
Flag of Russia.svg Vladislav Artemiev 32-
 
Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen 0
 
 
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Ding Liren 3½
 

Chessable Masters

NameELO01020304050607080910111213141516Points
01Flag of the United States.svg  Wesley So  (United States)2774-1½½1½½½11½½1½1111
02Flag of Armenia.svg  Levon Aronian  (Armenia)27610-½½½½½01111111110½
03Flag of France.svg  Alireza Firouzja  (France)2703½½-½½1½½1½10111110½
04Flag of the United States.svg  Hikaru Nakamura  (United States)2829½½½-½½½½1111½11½10½
05Flag of Russia.svg  Vladislav Artemiev  (Russia)27570½½½-½½½110111½1
06Flag of Vietnam.svg  Lê Quang Liêm  (Vietnam)2744½½0½½-1½½½½½½1119
07Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Shakhriyar Mamedyarov  (Azerbaijan)2761½½½½½0-½1½½½1½119
08Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Jorden van Foreest  (Netherlands)2543½1½½½½½-0½0½111½
09Flag of India.svg  Adhiban Baskaran  (India)262400000½01-11½1½1½7
10Flag of Spain.svg  Eduardo Iturrizaga  (Spain)264700½00½½½0-½1½1117
11Flag of Norway.svg  Aryan Tari  (Norway)2531½0001½½10½-½0½½1
12Flag of India.svg  Pentala Harikrishna  (India)2705½0100½½½½0½-01016
13Flag of Spain.svg  David Antón Guijarro  (Spain)2674000½0½000½11-011
14Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  Ju Wenjun  (China)2610½00000½0½0½01-115
15Flag of the United States.svg  Abhimanyu Mishra  (United States)0000½00000½100-½
16Flag of India.svg  Koneru Humpy  (India)2483000½000½½00000½-2
 
Quarterfinal (August 3–4)Semifinal (August 5–6)Final (August 7–8)
 
                
 
 
 
 
Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So 2-
 
 
 
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jorden van Foreest 2½-
 
Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So 2-
 
 
 
Flag of Russia.svg Vladislav Artemiev 2-
 
Flag of Russia.svg Vladislav Artemiev 222
 
 
 
Flag of the United States.svg Hikaru Nakamura 221
 
Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So 2-
 
 
 
Flag of Vietnam.svg Lê Quang Liêm ½2-
 
Flag of France.svg Alireza Firouzja 10-
 
 
 
Flag of Vietnam.svg Lê Quang Liêm 32-
 
Flag of Vietnam.svg Lê Quang Liêm 32
 
 
 
Flag of Armenia.svg Levon Aronian 113rd place (August 7–8)
 
Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Shakhriyar Mamedyarov ½1-
 
 
 
Flag of Armenia.svg Levon Aronian 2-
 
Flag of Russia.svg Vladislav Artemiev 2-
 
 
Flag of Armenia.svg Levon Aronian 2½-
 

Aimchess US Rapid

NameELO01020304050607080910111213141516Points
01Flag of Russia.svg  Vladislav Artemiev  (Russia)2757-½1½1½½½½1½½½11110½
02Flag of Norway.svg  Magnus Carlsen  (Norway)2881½-½01½½½½1½11½1110
03Flag of Armenia.svg  Levon Aronian  (Armenia)27610½-½½½½1½10½1111
04Flag of France.svg  Alireza Firouzja  (France)2696½1½-½½½1½10½1½1½
05Flag of the United States.svg  Wesley So  (United States)277400½½-½11½½10½1119
06Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Shakhriyar Mamedyarov  (Azerbaijan)2756½½½½½-½1½½½101½19
07Flag of Poland.svg  Jan-Krzysztof Duda  (Poland)2775½½½½0½-0½1½111½19
08Flag of the United States.svg  Leinier Domínguez  (United States)2786½½00001-½½1110118
09Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Anish Giri  (Netherlands)2744½½½½½½½½-½½½½1½½8
10Flag of France.svg  Maxime Vachier-Lagrave  (France)28170000½½0½½-½11111
11Flag of India.svg  Vidit Gujrathi  (India)2636½½110½½0½½-½01½½
12Flag of the United States.svg  Daniel Naroditsky  (United States)2639½0½½1000½0½-11½06
13Flag of Vietnam.svg  Lê Quang Liêm  (Vietnam)2744½000½100½010-½116
14Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Jorden van Foreest  (Netherlands)25630½0½00010000½-11
15Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Eric Hansen  (Canada)257900000½½0½0½½00-1
16Flag of the United States.svg  Awonder Liang  (United States)2397000½0000½0½1000-
 
Quarterfinal (Aug 31 - Sep 1)Semifinal (September 2–3)Final (September 4–5)
 
                
 
 
 
 
Flag of Russia.svg Vladislav Artemiev 23-
 
 
 
Flag of the United States.svg Leinier Domínguez 21-
 
Flag of Russia.svg Vladislav Artemiev 222
 
 
 
Flag of France.svg Alireza Firouzja 221
 
Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So ½½
 
 
 
Flag of France.svg Alireza Firouzja
 
Flag of Russia.svg Vladislav Artemiev ½-
 
 
 
Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen -
 
Flag of Armenia.svg Levon Aronian 32-
 
 
 
Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 11-
 
Flag of Armenia.svg Levon Aronian 21-
 
 
 
Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen 23-
 
Flag of Poland.svg Jan-Krzysztof Duda ½½-
 
 
Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen -
 

Tour Final

Teimour Radjabov, Anish Giri and Magnus Carlsen qualified by winning a Major tournament, while Wesley So, Levon Aronian, Hikaru Nakamura and Vladislav Artemiev qualified for the finals via the tour standings. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave replaced Ian Nepomniachtchi, while Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Jan-Krzysztof Duda got a wildcard spot. Every player, except for Duda, starts with extra points according to their Tour standings. [lower-alpha 2]

NameELO01020304050607080910BonusPointsTotal
01Flag of Norway.svg  Magnus Carlsen  (Norway)2842-00330223216½1531½
02Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Teimour Radjabov  (Azerbaijan)27473-3311133362127
03Flag of Armenia.svg  Levon Aronian  (Armenia)276130-303310381624
04Flag of the United States.svg  Wesley So  (United States)2766000-13202312½1123½
05Flag of the United States.svg  Hikaru Nakamura  (United States)28360232-2123241721
06Flag of Russia.svg  Vladislav Artemiev  (Russia)275532001-32031417½
07Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Anish Giri  (Netherlands)2712120120-300914½
08Flag of France.svg  Maxime Vachier-Lagrave  (France)27731023110-301113½
09Flag of Poland.svg  Jan-Krzysztof Duda  (Poland)280100310330-201212
10Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Shakhriyar Mamedyarov  (Azerbaijan)2727100010331-½9

Qualifiers

Chessable Qualifier

Chessable Qualifier was held from 17 to 18 October 2020, and was a qualification tournament for Skilling Open, the first event of the Champions Chess Tour.

NameELO01020304050607Points
01Flag of Russia.svg  Peter Svidler  (Russia)2742-½½11115
02Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Rauf Mamedov  (Azerbaijan)2691½-10111
03Flag of India.svg  S. L. Narayanan  (India)2436½0-½½11
04Flag of the United States.svg  Sam Shankland  (United States)260901½-½013
05Flag of Germany.svg  Matthias Bluebaum  (Germany)256100½½-113
06Flag of Russia.svg  Grigoriy Oparin  (Russia)273600010-½
07Flag of England.svg  Gawain Jones  (England)260900000½-½

Magnus Carlsen Invitational Qualifier

NameELO01020304Points
01Flag of Argentina.svg  Alan Pichot  (Argentina)2548-½ ½1 ½½ 14
02Flag of Sweden.svg  Nils Grandelius  (Sweden)2632½ ½-1 ½0 1
03Flag of Norway.svg  Aryan Tari  (Norway)25310 ½0 ½-1 13
04Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Max Warmerdam  (Netherlands)2412½ 01 00 0-

Julius Baer Challengers Chess Tour

Coverage

Chess24.com provided free live coverage of every tournament, with commentary in 10 different languages. [13] They were broadcasting on their website, on the official tour website, and on Twitch. Various other chess streamers also provided live commentary.

Sponsorship

Julius Baer and Opera were two listed sponsors of the event. [14] Skilling sponsored the first tournament, [15] while Airthings sponsored the second tournament. [14] Cryptocurrency Company FTX sponsored the FTX Crypto Cup, providing 2.18 Bitcoin in the prize fund, worth $100,000 at the time of purchase. The Tour was also funded by offering Premium and VIP Tour Passes, services that offered perks such as voting on the wild cards, memberships for Chess24.com, and interaction opportunities with top chess players. [16]

On January 3, 2021, Meltwater was announced as the title partner for the tour, which was accordingly renamed the Meltwater Champions Chess Tour. [1] [2]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Meltwater revealed as new title partner for Champions Chess Tour". chess24.com. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
  2. 1 2 "Meltwater becomes title partner of Champions Chess Tour". Meltwater. 2021-01-03. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Champions Chess Tour". championschesstour.com. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Tour Regulations, what's new?". Archived from the original on 2021-02-12. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
  5. Crowther, Mark (March 11, 2021). "Magnus Carlsen Invitational 2021". The Week in Chess . Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  6. 1 2 "Tour Regulations, what's new?". Archived from the original on 2020-12-05. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
  7. "Aimchess U.S. Rapid Final: Carlsen Leads Despite Mouse Slip". Chess.com . Archived from the original on 2021-09-04. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
  8. "Alireza Firouzja is now the French no. 1". chess24.com.
  9. "Skilling Open – Prelims Standings (detailed)".
  10. "Skilling Open – Finals Bracket".
  11. "Airthings Masters – Prelims Standings (detailed)".
  12. "Airthings Masters – Finals Bracket".
  13. "Giri, Anish vs. Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime | Skilling Open | Prelims | 2020" (in German).
  14. 1 2 "Champions Chess Tour Partners". championschesstour.com. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
  15. "Champions Chess Tour About Skilling". championschesstour.com. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
  16. "Champions Chess Tour Tour Pass". championschesstour.com. Retrieved 2020-12-29.

Notes

  1. Firouzja previously played under the FIDE flag as a neutral competitor from December 2019 to July 2021, which spanned from the Skilling Open to the Goldmoney Asian Rapid in the Champions Chess Tour. Firouzja started playing under the French flag in July 2021. [8]
  2. Every player gets an extra 0.5 point for every 10 Tour points ahead of player with least Tour points (in this case, Jan-Krzysztof Duda)