Abdusattorov's draw with Firouzja confirms victory in the London Chess Classic - 7-8
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Nodirbek Abdusattorov's six game winning streak might have ended with a draw
against Alireza Firouzja in Round 8 but it confirmed a clear win for him in the London
Chess Classic with a round to spare, and this result was obtained from a position of strength.
Abdusattorov had beaten Luke McShane in Round 7 with a long grind giving him a two point lead over Firouzja. Their Round 8 game was a Queen's Gambit Accepted where the engine thought Abdusattorov's 15...Rb6 was inferior to 15...Nd8= and that 16.Qe2 instead of 16.Qa4 might have given an edge to Firouzja. As it was Abdusattorov was the one who stood slightly better and when he repeated for a draw Firouzja had no choice whilst Abdusattorov could have played 33...Qg6 to try for a win had he needed.