The World Cup knockout is the only major individual chess event that Magnus Carlsen has never won, but this weekend the Norwegian, 32, looks poised to reach the final of the $1.8m, 206-player competition at Baku, Azerbaijan.
Carlsen’s opponent in the semi-final on Saturday and Sunday, (midday BST start, free live commentary on major chess websites) with possible speed tiebreaks on Monday, is the little-known Azerbaijani Nijat Abasov, 28. The hometown favourite has had the performance of his life, defeating all six of his opponents including the Netherlands world No 7, Anish Giri, and the eight-time Russian champion Peter Svidler. Taking on Carlsen is something else, though, like a qualifier meeting Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final or a League Two team challenging Manchester City at Wembley.
