“GMs Carlsen and Lazavik Lead 2024 Champions Chess Tour Finals Round-Robin After Three Rounds”

The 2024 Champions Chess Tour Finals kicked off in Oslo with a bang as GMs Magnus Carlsen and Denis Lazavik took the lead after three rounds on the opening day, both with perfect scores. GM Wesley So came close to defeating the world-number one, Carlsen, but ultimately lost in an endgame with an extra exchange and then the armageddon tiebreak. Meanwhile, Lazavik managed to hold a draw in a turbulent armageddon against GM Alireza Firouzja to secure his third match win.

With round four through six set to take place on Wednesday, December 18, the competition is heating up as the top players battle it out for the $200,000 prize and the title of 2024 Champions Chess Tour Champion. The event features eight players who have qualified either by winning one of the four preceding events or by accruing the most tour points throughout the season.

The tournament is divided into three stages, starting with a round-robin in the first three days. The bottom two players will be eliminated at the end of this stage, leaving six players to continue on to the next rounds. The games are played over the board with a time control of 10+2.

The venue, Screen Studios, provided a unique setting for the competition with a live audience watching from behind a one-way mirror. Players wore noise-cancelling headphones and listened to their selected playlists to stay focused during the intense matches.

As the competition unfolds, fans are eager to see if Carlsen can defend his title and emerge victorious once again. With the excitement building, chess enthusiasts can follow all the action in Oslo and cheer on their favorite players as they battle it out for chess supremacy.