Jose Martinez and Andrew Tang the winners of Day 2 of the Armageddon 2023
Day 2 of the World Chess Armageddon is over with the FIDE Online Arena qualifier, GM Jose Martinez, achieving a 1,5-1 score against the former youngest-ever GM Ray Robson and the legend of bullets, Andrew Tang, winning the most thrilling Armageddon game against the five-time Cuban Champion Leinier Dominguez.
First to face each other were the FIDE Online Arena qualifier, GM Jose Martinez, and the former youngest-ever GM Ray Robson. Their first game was more theoretical and Martinez tried to create some pressure, but with the intense time format the game ended in a draw. The second game didn’t go as prepared for Robson who made a few mistakes, giving his opponent the chance to win the game and the match with a 1,5-0,5 score.
“This is the first tournament I am taking seriously!” Jose Martinez told Simon Williams and Jovanka Houska in his after-game interview. “Both Andrew Tang and Leinier Dominguez are really good player but the have different styles. For sure Leinier is an elite player but Andrew has the blitz experience” Martinez commented on his co-players.
Andrew Tang, a legend in bullet chess, proved his title right against the five-time Cuban Champion Leinier Dominguez. “Can’t count how many pawns Dominguez was up. Can’t count that high!” Simon Williams commented on Leinier’s missed chances against Andrew Tang in their second game which ended in a draw and led the two GMs to the Armageddon.
After this crazy Armageddon game, both players agreed that White has won the game, which meant that Dominguez lost the match with a 2-1 score and will have a second chance tonight against Ray Robson. “It was completely insane. I was unlucky to have to promote 2 queens actually cause it took a few more seconds. Obviously I’m more used to flagging people online, so I think I waited too long to start playing quickly and it just turned to a complete mess!” Tang said about the Armageddon game.
Tune in live tonight at 19:00 CET for chess under intense time pressure with realtime heartbeat and calorie burned level as the players race across the board for the chance to win €50,000 and two spots in the Grand Finale.
