This is a flash report. The full report is coming soon. 

GMs Daniel Naroditsky and Robert Hess knocked out the commentators who inspire them, GMs Peter Svidler and Jan Gustafsson, as they advanced to the Semifinals of the 2024 Team Chess Battle.

Gustafsson brought his trash-talk A-game while Hess and Naroditsky were hesitant to respond in kind. It was a different story on the chessboard, though, when the younger duo defeated their opponents in a ruthless armageddon finish. 

The last quarterfinal match—GMs Jorden van Foreest and Eric Hansen vs. GM Hikaru Nakamura and IM Levy Rozman will be played on Tuesday, February 27, at 2:00 p.m. EST / 20:00 CET / 22:30 IST.

Team Hess & Naroditsky’s playoff victory is our Game of the Day. Enjoy commentary by GM Rafael Leitao below.

Team Chess Battle is an event where two-player teams can freely communicate while facing other teams in a series of rapid chess games. Eight teams of two players each compete in a single-elimination bracket. Matches consist of two games (the Final is a four-game match) with a 10+10 time control. The event starts on February 21 and features a $25,000 prize fund.

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