Magnus Carlsen had no trouble qualifying for the next round of the Champions Chess Tour playoffs.

Carlsen won a landslide victory with black pieces over Wesley So in the first game.

Thus, So had put all the pressure on himself before what was to become the decisive match. Carlsen had several great chances to emerge victorious from the match, but it ended in a draw.

It was still enough to advance further in the tournament for the Norwegian.

– So it’s generally solid, but he made a lot of mistakes yesterday, so I thought there was a good chance it would be easier than usual. The way it happened exceeded all expectations, Carlsen tells TV 2.

The Champions Chess Tour is played in a double knockout format, meaning you can afford a loss and still have the chance to win the tournament.

Carlsen ruined everything for himself in Monday’s opener. There he lost at Armageddon to Vladislav Artemjev. As a result, the Norwegian champion had to play in the losers’ round.

– How’s the confidence now?

– It’s a little better. I make fewer mistakes than the first day. It’s a bit like that. I also see that in the first game I’m not very sharp tactically, so I have to do something about that. But it does help warm up, Carlsen says.

The Norwegian won the tournament in February. It was also played in a double knockout format.

The tournament is Carlsen’s last as world long chess champion after ten consecutive years.

Watch the full Champions Chess Tour on TV 2 Sport 2 and Play.

(NTB/TV 2)