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2017 Champions Showdown

This event has already taken place. All information below is for reference only.

Event Details

Nov 9, 2017 - Nov 14, 2017

Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis

Hikaru Nakamura vs. Veselin Topalov

Fabiano Caruana vs. Alexander Grischuk

Wesley So vs. Leinier Dominguez

Magnus Carlsen vs. Liren Ding

The Saint Louis Chess Club will host a series of four matches, the Champions Showdown, November 9-14. In an exciting twist, the three top American players and current World Champion, Magnus Carlsen, will face their opponents in 10 games of rapid and 20 games of blitz. Tournament play will begin November 9 at 1 p.m., with World Champion Magnus Carlsen and No. 1 Chinese Grandmaster Ding Liren beginning November 11 at 1 p.m.

For the first time in recent history, each match will feature play with no delay or increment, meaning the games will be faster and more exhilarating for fans to watch, both online and in person at the Saint Louis Chess Club. Each day the games will be faster with less time on the clocks.

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Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6

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Chase Park Plaza Hotel
212 N. Kingshighway Blvd.
Saint Louis, MO 63108
(877)-587-2427
Chess rate: $159/night

Holiday Inn Express
4630 Lindell Blvd.
Saint Louis, MO 63108
(314) 361-4900
Chess rate: $109/night

Hampton Inn & Suites
5650 Oakland Ave.
Saint Louis, MO 63110
(314) 655-3994
Chess Rate: 10% off online through link.

The Players

Additional Info

Liren Ding

Invitational Rating: 2774

Magnus Carlsen

Invitational Rating: 2837

Leinier Dominquez

Invitational Rating: 2739

Wesley So

Invitational Rating: 2788

Veselin Topalov

Invitational Rating: 2749

Hikaru Nakamura

Invitational Rating: 2780

Alexander Grischuk

Invitational Rating: 2782

Fabiano Caruana

Invitational Rating: 2799

Schedule

Day	Date	Time	Champions Showdown
Thursday	Nov. 9	1 – 6:30 PM	G/30 Rounds 1 – 4
Friday	Nov. 10	1 – 5:30 PM	G/20 Rounds 1 – 6
		6 – 8 PM	WCHOF Global Moves: Americans in Chess Olympiads Opening Reception
Saturday	Nov. 11	1 – 5:30 PM	G/10 Rounds 1 – 8
			Magnus Carlsen vs. Ding Liren G/30 Rounds 1 – 4
Sunday	Nov. 12	1 – 5:30 PM	G/5 Rounds 1 – 12
			Magnus Carlsen vs. Ding Liren G/20 Rounds 1 – 6
Monday	Nov. 13	1 – 5:30 PM	Magnus Carlsen vs. Ding Liren G/10 Rounds 1 – 8
Tuesday	Nov. 14	11 AM – 4:30 PM	Magnus Carlsen vs. Ding Liren G/5 Rounds 1-12

Prize Fund

Hikaru Nakamura Vs. Veselin Topalov		Fabiano Caruana Vs. Alex Grischuk
Place	Prize	Place	Prize
1 st	$60,000	1 st	$60,000
2 nd	$40,000	2 nd	$40,000
$100,000 USD		$100,000 USD

Wesley So Vs. Leinier Dominguez		Magnus Carlsen Vs. Ding Liren
Place	Prize	Place	Prize
1st	$60,000	1 st	$60,000
2nd	$40,000	2 nd	$40,000
$100,000 USD		$100,000 USD

Regulations

Format Summary

The 2017 Champions Showdown shall be an exhibition event featuring four individual matches: Hikaru Nakamura vs. Veselin Topalov, Fabiano Caruana vs. Alex Grischuk, Wesley So vs. Lenier Dominguez and Magnus Carlsen vs. Ding Liren. Over four days, the Players shall contest 30 games in four different time controls (G/30, G/20, G/10 and G/5. Note that all time controls are without increment or delay).

Prompt Arrival: Players are expected to arrive promptly each day.
No Cell Phones: No cell phones or other electronic devices shall be allowed in the tournament area.
Time Controls & Scoring:

Day	Time Control	No. Games	Points per Game	Total Points
Day 1	G/30	4	5	20
Day 2	G/20	6	4	24
Day 3	G/10	8	3	24
Day 4	G/5	12	2	24

Chief Arbiter Discretion: In the event of an unexpected occurrence, the Chief Arbiter reserves the right to make all decisions in conjunction with or on behalf of the CHESS CLUB.
Tied Players: All prizes will be divided evenly among all tied players.
Regulations: Where not otherwise specified, the event shall be governed by the FIDE Laws of Chess.