Carlsen impresses in beating Grandelius in Sigeman Round 2 - 2

Magnus Carlsen joined the leaders Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Andy Woodward on 1.5 points after two rounds of the 31st Sigeman & Co tournament in Malmo. Carlsen was the only winner but all four games could easily have finished decisively.

Carlsen was the only winner when he defeated Nils Grandelius using the Modern Benoni as black. Once Carlsen assumed the initiative, he quickly overpowered his opponent.

Nodirbek Abdusattorov seemed to be heading for a win against Andy Woodward first just before first time control 39.g6! would have won and 40.Nd4? was almost equal. Abdusattorov was then soon winning again but couldn't land the final blow and 60.Rxf7? was the move that ended the winning chances. Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus drew against Arjun Erigaisi in 78 moves of a Ruy Lopez where both players stood better at one stage or another, Erigaisi was winning in a Queen endgame but only drew. Jorden Van Foreest messed up a winning position against Zhu Jiner who took her chance to equalise well 47.Nc4? was Van Foreest's final mistake after which Zhu held impressively.

Round 2 Standings: 1st= Abdusattorov, Woodward, Carlsen 1½pts, 4th= Erigaisi, Erdogmus, Van Foreest 1pt, 7th Zhu Jiner ½pts, 8th Grandelius 0pts.

Round 3 pairings 3rd May 2026 2pm GMT: Jiner Zhu-Erdogmus, Woodward–van Foreest, Carlsen–Abdusattorov, Erigaisi–Grandelius.