PogChamps 4 Day 8: Parties, Mouse Slips, Botez Gambits, Endgame Precision

An unconventional match marked the beginning of the day. Sapnap, playing quickly and well, capitalized on his opponent’s mistakes. JustaMinx, on the other hand, put all her energy into partying hard.

No one could predict what would happen in the match between the two Spanish streaming giants. Even though IamCristinini is the lower-rated player, her earlier performance in PogChamps was an indication that it would be a close match.

Rubius tried to go for a quick win in the first game and chose to attempt the Scholar’s Mate. Cristinini didn’t fall for the checkmate trick, but Rubius got a good position anyway and eventually won a piece. It seemed like Rubius would bag the first game until a mouse slip sealed his fate and helped Cristinini checkmate him.

Cristinini was in disbelief about her impressive performance in the event. “I don’t know what happened. I have no idea what was going on in this match,” she said. “I don’t know how I ended up in the championship bracket, but now I’m here.”

In true PogChamps fashion, another unbelievable match happened between QTCinderella and NickEh30. Nick showed an impressive understanding of chess concepts even though he just started learning. Sadly for him, his anxiety got in his way and led him to make game-losing blunders, making QT’s job easier.

The first game was quick, as QTCinderella played a genius blunder that worked out in her favor. After giving NickEh30 a free piece, she played well and capitalized on Nick’s exposed kingside to launch an attack on her opponent’s king.

Nick was happy about his performance: “I’ve been practicing a lot, doing puzzles and different things like that. I have an amazing coach, and I’ve been really enjoying it. I think when you enjoy something you really want to put that extra effort into learning. So I can’t complain!”

No one knew what to expect of the 5uppp-Ludwig match. Ludwig’s PogChamps experience seemingly gave him a slight edge, but 5uppp also seemed to be a seasoned player.

Aside from a few inaccuracies by each side, both players did well in the first game. Ludwig, eventually faltering in the endgame, gave 5uppp a comfortable advantage that he had no trouble converting.

In another incredible game, both players made great moves throughout most of it. 5uppp slipped and blundered a piece, giving Ludwig a winning material advantage. Dvoretsky’s Endgame Manual served Ludwig well after entering a winning endgame and successfully playing the winning technique that tied the match.

The tiebreak was as thrilling as the previous two games. Both players were eager to play fast and get into an endgame where Ludwig won a pawn and had good winning chances. It was at this point that Ludwig blundered and lost his knight and the match.

Both players made it to the championship bracket but on opposite sides. “Honestly, it feels super stressful; I don’t even know how to process it,” 5uppp commented about winning Group A. “But I’m really happy. Bottom line for me was there were some super fun games.”

“This almost worked out for me in a way,” Ludwig said. “I do think that Fundy is the strongest person in the field right now. I’m excited I’m not on Fundy’s side of the bracket.”

All Games Day 8

Brackets