After navigating a grueling rapid qualifier the previous day, GM Hikaru Nakamura faced little resistance during the climactic Millionaire Monday playoff. The event featured a four-player showdown, where Nakamura emerged victorious, claiming the second Millionaire Chess Open title and the biggest payday of his career: $100,000.
Nakamura’s journey began with a tense semifinal against GM Yu Yangyi. Their two initial games, played at a rapid time control, ended in draws. However, Nakamura displayed his signature precision in the shorter tiebreaks, securing a spot in the final. There, he made quick work of GM Le Quang Liem, delivering a decisive performance to clinch the championship.
“It felt like the final was a bit underwhelming,” Nakamura admitted to Chess.com, though his results left no doubt about his dominance.
The Semifinals: A Battle of Patience
The afternoon’s two Game/25 matches saw Nakamura hold steady against Yu Yangyi. The first game, a Berlin Defense, ended in a straightforward draw, offering little excitement. The second game featured Nakamura with White, navigating hanging pawns that eventually transformed into an isolated pawn. Despite the structural shift, Yu Yangyi held firm, ensuring another draw.
Meanwhile, GM Le Quang Liem had a smoother path to the final. He comfortably defeated GM Aleks Lenderman in their first game, using his bishops to dismantle Black’s position. In the second game, Lenderman needed a win but fell short as Le Quang Liem skillfully neutralized White’s threats, securing his place in the final.
Nakamura vs. Yu Yangyi: Tiebreak Drama
To decide the semifinal, Nakamura and Yu Yangyi faced off in two faster-paced Game/15 matches. This time, Nakamura’s adaptability shone through. In the first tiebreak game, his active knight outperformed Yu’s bishop, marking a significant improvement over their earlier encounters. The second game followed a similar script, with Nakamura finding creative resources to secure victory.
With the semifinal behind him, Nakamura advanced to the evening’s final showdown against Le Quang Liem.
The Final: A Champion’s Display
The first game of the final saw Nakamura take White and capitalize on a powerful central breakthrough with 23. d5!, unleashing the full potential of his pieces. Le Quang Liem described this as the critical moment of the match. Nakamura’s quick and confident play forced errors from his opponent, giving him the win.
Needing a victory to stay in contention, Le Quang Liem faced an uphill battle in the second game. Nakamura, playing Black, chose a line that had caused him trouble in a recent FIDE World Cup match but handled it with precision this time. After neutralizing White’s initiative, Nakamura maintained control, securing the draw that guaranteed him the title.
Reflecting on his performance, Nakamura credited his ability to seize opportunities, distinguishing himself from others. “Players like Magnus and I don’t let those chances slip,” he remarked.
A Milestone Victory
This win marked Nakamura’s first tournament triumph since the 2015 U.S. Championship and solidified his position as one of the world’s elite. Despite battling mild illness during the event, Nakamura delivered a commanding performance, leaving no doubt about his skill and resilience.
The $100,000 prize not only set a personal record for Nakamura but also underscored his ability to thrive in high-stakes situations.