Superbet Classic 2024: Fabiano Caruana retains title in playoff on a dramatic final day

The final of the Superbet Classic Romania competition ended on Friday, July 5, with Fabiano Caruana being declared the eventual winner after a roller coaster ride on the last day. The Superbet Classic Romania is the second leg of the Grand Chess Tour 2024, which started on June 26.

Caruana ended up racking up the cash prize of $68,750 after winning the Superbet Classic Romania campaign on a dramatic final day in the playoff by 3-0.

Interestingly, after the final round, four players - Caruana, Alireza Firouzja, Praggnanandhaa R, and Gukesh D - were tied on top with five points each.

According to the campaign rules, if multiple players are tied for the top spot after the final round, there will be playoffs with rapid round-robin, with a time control of 10 minutes plus a five-second increment. There will be an Armageddon battle if two players are tied after this.

Despite losing his classical game to a strong opponent in Anish Giri, Caruana quickly secured three consecutive playoff wins to retain his last year’s title in Bucharest.

Firouzja, meanwhile, was on track to defeat Praggnanandhaa. However, he couldn’t make the right choices as he settled for a draw.

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Superbet Classic 2024: Round 9 Results

Anish Giri - Fabiano Caruana 1 - 0

Wesley So - Gukesh D 1/2 - 1/2

Praggnanandhaa R - Alireza Firouzja 1/2 - 1/2

Bogdan Daniel Deac - Maxime Vachier Lagrave 1/2 - 1/2

Ian Nepomniachtchi - Nodirbek Abdusattorov 1/2 - 1/2

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Superbet Classic 2024: Standings after Round 9

1. Fabiano Caruana - 5

2. Alireza Firouzja - 5

2. Praggnanandhaa R - 5

2. Gukesh D - 5

5. Ian Nepomniachtchi - 4.5

5. Anish Giri - 4.5

5. Maxime Vachier Lagrave - 4.5

8. Wesley So - 4

8. Nodirbek Abdusattorov - 4

10. Bogdan Daniel Deac - 3.5

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