Online casino players will come across the phrase RNG when starting out on their gaming journey, but what exactly does casino RNG mean?

What is RNG?

RNG stands for Random Number Generator. It is a computer program that generates random numbers and sequences to determine the outcome of casino games. RNGs are used in many other contexts, including video games and simulations, as well as gambling.

In land-based and online casinos, RNGs are used to determine the outcome of random chance games like slots, roulette, and card games. They ensure that the games are fair by generating random numbers that correspond to certain game outcomes. Online casinos in particular rely on RNGs to provide players with truly random results, fair gameplay and an authentic casino experience.

Different Types of RNG

There are two main types of RNG: ‘True RNG’ and ‘Pseudo RNG’.

True RNG (TRNG) uses unpredictable physical variables like airwave static, the behaviour of subatomic particles or radioactive decay of isotopes to generate random numbers. These phenomenon all exhibit truly random behaviour, known as ‘pure randomness’.

Pseudo RNG (PRNG) uses mathematical algorithms to generate random numbers. Online casinos typically use certified Pseudo RNGs to ensure fair play and randomness. PRNGs are not as secure as TRNGs because they use algorithms which can be predicted, but online casino RNGs are rigorously tested by independent auditors like eCOGRA and Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) to ensure they produce random results.

How Do Casinos Use RNG?

RNGs are used in both land-based and online casinos to determine the outcome of random chance games in a fair and unpredictable manner. Online casinos in particular rely heavily on certified RNGs to provide players with a fair gaming experience that mimics the randomness of a real casino. Reputable sites use highly-tested RNG to produce truly random results and ensure fair play across all their casino games.

Online Casino Games That Use RNG

Three popular types of online casino RNG games that are widely available include:

Slots – Slot games use RNGs to determine the outcome of each spin and the symbols that land on the reels. RNG ensures that each spin is independent and random, producing unpredictable results.

Roulette – The RNG in roulette generates a random number that corresponds to a slot on the roulette wheel where the ball will land. The RNG produces a new random number for each spin to determine an unpredictable outcome.

Blackjack – RNG is used in blackjack to determine which cards are dealt to players and the dealer in each hand. The RNG produces random cards to ensure that each hand has an unpredictable outcome, just like in a real casino.

How is Casino RNG Regulated & Certified?

Online casino RNGs are regulated by independent testing agencies to ensure fair play and randomness. The main regulators of iGaming RNG standards include:

BMM Testlabs – One of the leading iGaming testers, BMM certifies RNGs to meet requirements set out by regulatory bodies like the UK Gambling Commission and MGA.

iTech Labs – iTech Labs is an internationally recognized iGaming testing and certification lab. They test RNGs for properties like randomness, unpredictability and independence of outcomes.

Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) – GLI is one of the largest iGaming certification bodies, testing RNG software for compliance with requirements set by regulatory authorities worldwide.

eCOGRA – eCOGRA is a renowned independent standards and player protection agency for the iGaming industry. They review and certify RNGs for randomness, fairness and compliance with industry standards.

Where Can I Play RNG Casino Games Online?

You can play RNG casino games at many reputable online casinos, with the peace of mind that the games are fair and the outcomes are truly random. These sites offer a wide range of casino games powered by certified RNGs. For example, at 888 online casino players have access to over 200 slot games with RNG-determined outcomes like progressive jackpots, video slots and 3-reel classics. You can also play European, French and American roulette, all using RNG to determine the winning number on each spin.

FAQs

Should You Avoid Casino Games That Use RNG?

No, you should not avoid casino games that use RNG. RNG, or Random Number Generators, are crucial for ensuring fair play and randomness in online casino games. Reputable casino sites use certified RNGs that have been tested by independent auditors to meet strict standards of randomness, unpredictability and fairness. As long as you play at a licensed and regulated casino site, you can enjoy RNG games with confidence that the outcomes are truly random and you have a fair chance of winning.

Can Casino RNG Be Rigged?

No, casino RNG cannot be rigged at reputable and licensed casino sites. While some players claim that RNG can be manipulated to produce certain outcomes, certified RNG software is rigorously tested to ensure it generates truly random results. Independent testing agencies analyze RNG algorithms and software to verify that the random numbers are unpredictable, non-repeatable and evenly distributed. If there were flaws in the RNG that could be exploited, the auditors would detect them.

Can You Beat RNG at a Casino?

No, it is very difficult to beat RNG at an online casino. While some players claim to have ‘systems’ to beat RNG, the truth is that certified RNG produces unpredictable random numbers. As long as the casino is using a fair and tested RNG, the outcomes of games will be random and it will be nearly impossible to gain an advantage over the house. Some players may get lucky in the short term, but the odds will always be in the casino’s favor in the long run. The only way to potentially gain an edge is through bonuses, promotions and VIP rewards, not by ‘beating’ the RNG.

Is Casino RNG Fair?

Yes, casino RNG can be fair if the online casino uses certified RNG software that has been tested by an independent auditing agency to meet strict standards of randomness, unpredictability and fairness. Reputable casino sites will clearly display the logos of third-party testers like eCOGRA, GLI and iTech Labs on their site.

Is Casino RNG Really Random?

Casino RNG can be truly random if the online casino uses a certified RNG that has been rigorously tested. As long as the casino site is licensed and regulated, and uses RNG that has been certified by a reputable auditor, the outcomes of games can be considered truly random. However, it is important for players to do their due diligence in choosing a trustworthy casino site.

Are Slots True RNG?

Slot games use certified RNG to ensure fair play and truly random outcomes. This is in the form of Pseudo RNG, with random results generated by an algorithm, rather than True RNG where results are produced using unpredictable physical variables.

How Can I Tell If a Casino Site Uses RNG?

A reputable online casino should clearly display the logos of independent testing agencies on their site. The casino will also explicitly state that they use certified RNG to power their games. They may provide details on the specific RNG software and auditors used.

If you notice patterns in the outcomes of games or it seems like certain numbers or results appear more often, this could indicate flaws in the RNG. Fair RNG should produce evenly distributed random results. A casino will not make unrealistic claims about “beating the RNG” or provide strategies to gain an advantage at their games. No system can overcome the randomness of certified RNG.

Finally, the casino will have a valid license from a reputable regulatory body which requires casinos to use fair and tested RNGs. The casino will likely belong to an industry watchdog like the Interactive Gaming Council (IGC) or the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA). These organizations promote standards of fairness, security and responsible gambling, including the use of certified RNG.

The post What is RNG in Casino Games? appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.

Matt Blake, Online Gambling’s blackjack ambassador and gaming expert, has the latest for OG News.

New York Losing $4bn Per Year

New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo has long been a vocal advocate for the legalization of online gaming in the state. With recent projections indicating iGaming is likely to generate more revenue than sports betting, the State Senator once again raised his concerns:

Citing much needed tax revenue and delays to employment opportunities as the key reasons for new legislation, Addabbo added: “I want this to hit in 2023”.

Can iGaming Overtake Sports Betting in NY?

Since its launch in January 2022, mobile sports betting in New York has delivered over $909 million in revenue.

$709.2 million of that figure is collected through sports betting taxes, thanks to the state’s 51 percent tax rate for sports bets.

DraftKings CEO Jason Robbins said that the legalization of iGaming in New York could help soften the blow of the sports betting tax:

“States like New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania have authorized iGaming, and results have shown that iGaming’s success can come without cannibalizing existing retail gaming operators or the lottery, and certainly without experiencing the hyperbolic, doomsday scenarios that many opponents recklessly predict.”

Robins makes a good point, the motivation behind Assembly Bill A3634 is to avoid the Empire State lagging behind neighboring states, especially when the opportunity is so great.

Howard Glaser, Head of Government Affairs at Light and Wonder has projected $2.1bn in annual casino revenue if New York legalized. In its first year of sports betting, the state generated $1.3bn of gross revenue. He said:

“In all of these states, those states have found that while sports betting is a good appetizer, iGaming has proven to be the main course as far as revenue generation is concerned.”

What Next for New York and Online Casino Legislation?

This Legislative season runs through June and with Bill A3634 moved into the Assembly, Addabbo is gearing up for another run at online casino legislation.

The bill itself states that authorizing online casinos wouldn’t require amending the state constitution.

New York voters approved seven commercial casino licences across the state in 2013. Since then, four casinos, regulated by the state, have opened and currently operate in upstate New York.

Throughout this legislative season, it’s likely the process of selecting the three licensees for downstate New York will dominate proceedings.

Several major operators, including DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM have all declared interest in gaining their online casino license in New York.

Online New York sports betting is already live. Find the best sportsbooks and promo codes in NY at Online Gambling.

The post Is New York Set to Legalize iGaming in 2023? appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.

There’s no shortage of other classic vintage games out there like anything from the Madden Football family, Ken Griffey Baseball, NBA Jam aka “he’s heating up!”, EA Sports FIFA, ad Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. Yet, even with the advanced graphics of the current generation of video games cannot compete with some of the classics on Nintendo.

Even if you cannot get your hands on an old NES console, or you tried to hook up your old Nintendo to no avail — even by blowing on the cartridges — you can still take a walk down memory lane via YouTube. There’s no shortage of gameplay or playthrough videos featuring the favorite games from your childhood, including some of best sports titles in gaming history.

Tecmo Bowl

I cannot count how many late nights I played the original Tecmo Bowl with my brother. It was a simple game released in 1989 with four basic plays to select on offense/defense. Every team had two running and passing plays, except San Francisco and Miami who had three passing plays.

On defense, you had a 25% chance to predict what play the offense would call. However, if you frequently played the same opponent — like my brother and myself — you knew their favorite plays and patterns, which made Tecmo Bowl more of a mind game.

Like many of you, we had the “Bo Jackson Rule” where no one could use his team because he was a real-life cheat code and impossible to tackle and ridiculously fast. When picking teams, you could not select the Los Angeles franchise as part of the Bo Jackson Rule. Nintendo did not have an actual license from the NFL, so they had a work around using city names and team colors, but fans knew who was who.

Tecmo Bowl had a version of the New York Giants, which was my usual pick. On defense you made sure you controlled #56 aka Lawrence Taylor because he was the fastest defender and could get into the backfield in a flash to record a sack and drop a running back for a loss.

Kicking was always the pain in the butt, but poor kick coverage was also tilting. If you didn’t tackle at the precise angle, you were most likely giving up a kick return for a touchdown.

NHLPA 93

Did EA Sports achieve hockey prefect with NHLPA 93? This was the days before the Nanny State took over and tried to reduce violence in video games and removed fighting in the NHL 94 sequel. The NHL has been trying to escape their rough and tumble days of “old time hockey” with superfluous violence and fighting.

However, the NHLPA 93 video game from the early 1990s captured the last era of pugilism on the ice. Yes, you could actually get into a fight in NHLPA 93, and you could knock out opposing players with cheap hits. If you get lucky, you can even make them bleed on the ice. Scoring a knockout of your opponent in a one-on-one fight after you drop the gloves was more exhilarating than scoring a goal.

NHLPA 93 debuted when I was in college and it was the most popular game in my fraternity house. We held season-long contests and tournaments. Even classmates that didn’t like hockey were addicted to the game, which we played 24/7. It got so bad that the guy who owned the original game (shoutout to Greg M.!) had to lock his doors at night, and hide the game when he went to class because he’d come back and find eight people in his room ripping bong hits and playing NHLPA 93. The problem was solved when a couple of other fraternity brothers purchased additional copies, so there was at least one version of the game on every floor of the fraternity house.

NHLPA 93 was so popular that it even made an appearance in the indie film “Swingers” when the guys would gather at someone’s apartment in Hollywood to play NHL 94 at the pre-party.

Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out

There were two versions of Punch-Out one involving the Mike Tyson branding and the other one that did not. This was one of the few popular arcade games that was also a console game that debuted in 1984.

Like in real life boxing, you had to work your way up the ranks to get a title shot. Every boxer was different and had their own specialty knockout punch. Opponents gradually increased in skill the father you went, but your game would end if you got knocked out. It could take months before you got good enough to finally face Mike Tyson in the ring. And then it could take a few more months to figure out how to beat him. Do not forget this was an era before the internet, and if you did not have a subscription to video game magazines, you had to figure out a strategy by yourself, or consult with your friends on how to survive a barrage of combination punches and finally knock out Tyson.

The boxer names were just as iconic as the original Punch-Out game: Glass Joe, Bald Bull, Mr. Sandman, Soda Popinski, and Super Macho Man. In the Mike Tyson version released in 1987, Punch-Out included Von Kaiser, Piston Honda, Don Flamenco, King Hippo, and Mike Tysoon (aka Mr. Dream in alt versions).

It was fun trying to remember the perfect combinations to defeat each boxer. It’s stil hilarious that King Hippo’s pants would fall down when you punched him in the stomach multiple times in a row.

The post Vintage Sports Video Games: Tecmo Bowl, NHLPA 93, Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.

HyperMotion 2, women’s club football, and new defending, attacking and goalkeeping features add more realism than ever to FIFA. The skill moves also promise to be innovative, taking the player’s experience to a different level.

EA upgraded its HyperMotion motion capture system to HyperMotion 2 and improved its machine learning algorithm. Both tools capture and put together data to make virtual football as authentic as possible. Said data even comes from actual football matches played by Spanish team Zaragoza, shot on Xsens technology. All this works together to create the most visually authentic entry in the series.

FIFA 23 utilizes Advanced 11-v-11 match capture, meaning that actual football players came together for full-on matches using Xsens suits. This year’s game draws from two matches featuring professional teams, including a women’s match (a series first). That capture was then combined with EA’s new machine learning algorithm to make players and the environments around them more natural.

Various visual and mechanical enhancements further amplify FIFA 23’s faithfulness to the sport. Players’ limbs now react to the impact of the ball, and full 3D nets even move when the ball or players make contact with them. Other extra touches like new animations and (over 500) chants for crowds liven up a match’s physical and emotional energy.

HyperMotion 2 and the new machine learning algorithm have a hand in various innovations coming to FIFA 23’s gameplay. EA presented several features made possible thanks to this innovative technology. Full Team Authentic Motion ensures that no two plays are identical. Star-specific run styles, improved technical dribbling, female athlete-specific animations, and left-footed skill moves are now made possible with these advancements. Now more than ever, football matches look and feel more like they do in real life.

Kylian Mbappé and Sam Kerr are cover stars for the FIFA 23 Ultimate Edition 📸

It's the first global cover featuring a women’s footballer pic.twitter.com/WjWg87QNw1

— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 18, 2022

What else is new?

More detailed and more authentic animations lead to more depth and control in the game itself. For example, Power Shots are a new skill-based risk-reward mechanic that unlocks yet another layer of strategy. To use them, you must carve out the perfect space and aim precisely, then shoot to activate. If performed correctly, you can score goals with more power and accuracy. However, the longer animations and the need for precision introduce a higher risk.

Defensive areas of the game weren’t neglected either. You can lie down behind the wall to block low shots. The new motion capture data also allows players to perform clearance slide, physical, and back heel tackles, which aggressively counter offensive abilities, such as added shooting types like chesting, backspins, and downward volleys. There are even more ways to pass.

EA is aiming for authenticity with FIFA 23, and every piece of the game is building toward that goal. You can experience this true-to-life football title when it releases on 30 September.

The post EA Sports Releases FIFA 23 Gameplay Video appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.

Greek betting site Stoiximan – the only site I found offering odds on the Chess Olympiad – pegs the United States as the -500 to win the gold medals in the Open section of the tournament.

India could challenge deep American team

Team USA would come into the Chess Olympiad as a popular choice to win gold no matter what the circumstances. Fabiano Caruana will take first-board responsibilities for the Americans, with Levon Aronian, Wesley So, and Leinier Dominguez Perez behind him. Sam Shankland will take on the alternate role, meaning the United States features a lineup with five players boasting ratings of 2720 or higher.

Caruana, Aronian, and So all rank among the top seven in the live classical ratings at 2700chess.com, while Dominguez Perez slots in at No. 14. Even Shankland ranks 26th in the world. It’s a level of depth that no other country can hope to match in Chennai this year. Team USA comes in with an average rating of 2771, while no other team averages even 2700.

If someone can upset the Americans, it may be the hosts. India enters as the second seed, led by 2700+ grandmasters Pentala Harikrishna and Gujrathi Vidit Santosh. Stoiximan rates India as a +500 second choice for the Open gold.

As hosts, India actually has three teams in the Chess Olympiad. Even the India B-Team (+3500) could threaten the medal podium. The second Indian team features a number of top young stars, including 16-year-old Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, who has beaten exiting World Champion Magnus Carlsen on multiple occasions in rapid play.

“Both Indian teams have a very strong and impressive line of players,” Carlsen told reporters. “I think both have a chance to be amongst the medals.”

Carlsen’s own Norwegian team is also a medal contender. Norway (+2400) enters as the third seed, with Carlsen boosting an otherwise second-tier team into a threat in every match.

Russia, China out of Chess Olympiad

The top squads will also benefit from the absence of two perennial contenders. FIDE barred Russia from the Chess Olympiad due to the country’s invasion of Ukraine, while China is skipping the event due to COVID-19 protocols in the country.

On the women’s side of the competition, hosts India (-111) start out as slight favorites over Ukraine (+100) in a likely two-horse race for gold. Humpy Koneru leads the Indian team, while Mariya and Anna Muzychuk lead a Ukrainian squad that boasts three grandmasters. The United States comes in as the No. 7 seed in the women’s competition at the Chess Olympiad.

While the Olympiad will take on an unusual feel with the absence of two major contenders on each side of the tournament, Carlsen says he’s still looking forward to the event.

“It is going to be awesome to be back in Chennai again as it has been nine years since one of the greatest experiences of my chess career,” Carlsen said, referencing his 2013 World Chess Championship victory over Viswanathan Anand. “Tamil Nadu or say Chennai is the hottest hub of chess in the world now. So just to be there and be a part of the chess celebration is a reason in itself.”

The open and women’s competitions will each play 11 rounds, with the Chess Olympiad wrapping up on Aug. 9.

The post Chess Olympiad Odds: USA Opens as Massive Favorite; Host India Primed to Take Women’s Gold appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.

The 31-year-old Carlsen cited a lack of motivation as the key factor in his decision not to defend the title again.

Nepomniachtchi to face Ding in 2023 World Championship

Carlsen has long discussed the idea of giving up his title. He declared before the 2022 Candidates Tournament that he was unlikely to defend the World Championship unless Alireza Firouzja won the qualifier.

Instead, it was Nepomniachtchi who ran away with the Candidates Tournament for the second straight cycle. Rather than defend against the Russian again, Carlsen will allow Nepomniachtchi to face off in a match with second-place finisher Ding Liren for the title.

“I am not motivated to play another match,” Carlsen said on the first episode of “The Magnus Effect,” his new podcast. “Although I’m sure a match would be interested for historical reasons and all of that, I don’t have any inclination to play, and I will simply not play the match.”

Carlsen first won the title by beating Viswanathan Anand in 2013. He beat Anand again in a rematch, then won further title defenses against Sergey Karjakin, Fabiano Caruana, and Nepomniachtchi.

Carlsen would have been a substantial favorite in a rematch with Nepomniachtchi. Sportsbooks have yet to post odds for the matchup between Nepomniachtchi and Ding. While Nepomniachtchi has more championship experience, Ding holds the No. 2 rating in the world, trailing only Carlsen.

“It’s hard to believe! I need to calm down a little bit,” Ding told chess24.com. “It’s a backdoor chance. I got very lucky to have the chance to play a World Championship match. It’s my best chance for sure. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance.”

Carlsen turns to tournament play, ratings goals

Carlsen made it clear that he has no intention of retiring from professional chess, however. The Norwegian has set a goal of establishing a 2900 classical rating – a level no player has ever reached – and says he plans to continue to play in a variety of tournaments.

“I’m leaving later today to go to Croatia to play the Grand Chess Tour. From there on, I’m going to go to Chennai to play the Olympiad, which is going to be a lot of fun, and the Norwegian team are seeded as No. 4 there,” Carlsen said, via chess24.com. “I enjoy playing tournaments a lot. Obviously, I enjoy them a lot more than I enjoy the World Championship, and frankly I don’t see myself stopping as a chess player any time soon.”

There was speculation that Carlsen might defend his title if the World Chess Federation (FIDE) adjusted the format for title matches. However, Carlsen said he never intended to play, regardless of any changes.

“I did agree to meet with [Arkady] Dvorkovich and [Emil] Sutovsky from FIDE to talk a little bit [after the Candidates Tournament],” Carlsen said. “I did not have any demands or suggestions for that meeting. They did have a couple of suggestions, but the gist of it was that I was there to tell them that I would not defend my title in the next World Championship match.”

The post Magnus Carlsen Gives Up World Chess Championship Title, Not Retiring from Competitive Play appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.

Here are three points to consider as your craft lineups for Tuesday’s game:

1. New rules affect playing reserves

In the past, you could slot some benchwarmers onto your team to save salary and hope the All-Star Game goes extra innings, potentially giving your players an extra at-bat or two. But not with the new rules, which will see a home run derby of three players from each team if the game is tied after nine innings. Also of note: the DFS sites have made it clear that stats from the home run derby won’t count toward lineup scores. That could have resulted in some really skewed points totals otherwise.

2. J-Rod’s too expensive

Not to pick on Julio Rodriguez, as he’s one of several reserves who’s priced too high on DraftKings, but since his superb performance in Monday’s Home Run Derby, he’s on many DFS players’ radars. While guys like Rodriguez, Juan Soto, and Kyle Schwarber may very well put up solid point totals, the unpredictability of when they enter the All-Star Game and how many at-bats they’ll get (see the first point) makes their selections for lineups tricky when they’re priced higher than some of the starters. They should be avoided in formats such as 50/50, but can be played in massive-field tournaments in an attempt to differentiate lineups from the rest of the field.

3. Stacking’s not hard

The pricing for the All-Star Game is pretty soft this year, and it’s not hard to stack lineups with starters high in their league’s respective lineups. On DraftKings, you can use five players from one league and one player from the other league for the maximum stacking ability.

I found it wasn’t hard to create what felt like stolid stacks for either the American or National league. I would avoid using players like Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani in the captain’s spot in most situations, however, even if they’re affordable because they’ll be very popular picks so you can’t gain an advantage on the field.  My top captain’s pick is Mookie Betts, playing in his home park and batting second for the National League.

The post 3 Tips for MLB All-Star Game DFS Strategy appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.

Nepomniachtchi secured a draw in his final game against Jan-Krzysztof Duda to finish with five wins and nine draws over the double round-robin tournament.

Nepomniachtchi sets new mark for Candidates Tournament

In total, Nepomniachtchi scored 9.5 points, a record haul for the current Candidates Tournament format.

“I feel extremely tired,” Nepomniachtchi said after clinching first place in Round 13. “It’s an insanely difficult tournament. Despite the score, it was never easy. Every game could have some danger, I could never feel safe, maybe until I had two points with two rounds to go.”

Nepomniachtchi also credited a string of short games with allowing him to remain fresh from start to finish.

“I think I never had a six-hour game here, so it was more or less every time, it was decided even before the first time control,” Nepomniachtchi said. “I never was forced to push too hard. Obviously, this all became possible because I started so well, beating maybe the main favorite of the tournament [Ding Liren] with the black pieces.”

Nepomniachtchi came into the Candidates Tournament as a +800 pick to repeat, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. Ding Liren had started as the +200 favorite to take first place, just ahead of Fabiano Caruana (+250).

Ding beats Nakamura to slide into second

In the end, Ding was able to claim a clear second place by overtaking Hikaru Nakamura in Monday’s final round. Nakamura came into the 14th round with a half-point lead over Ding, but the two were playing each other on the final day. Ding had White and the two played a Queen’s Gambit Accepted. The game seemed headed to a draw after the two exchanged queens.

Ding Liren beats Hikaru Nakamura on demand to win €36,000 — if Magnus Carlsen chooses not to play a match in 2023 then it's Ding who will take on Ian Nepomniachtchi for the World Championship title! https://t.co/yUofuJxgtj #c24live #FIDECandidates pic.twitter.com/Ubejo4Z5rq

— chess24.com (@chess24com) July 4, 2022

But Ding was able to keep some life in the position after a Nakamura inaccuracy allowed rooks to stay on the board. Ding continued to make progress, and by the 35th move, had achieved a clearly winning endgame. Nakamura continued to fight, but resigned after 58 moves.

“I felt like my timing was a little bit off throughout this game,” Nakamura said afterwards. “I don’t know if it’s just because I was feeling nerves or what was going on exactly, but I simply couldn’t bring myself to use a lot of time until it was too late.”

Ding’s second-place finish could prove critical. Should Magnus Carlsen choose not to defend his crown, then Nepomniachtchi will play Ding for the World Chess Championship in 2023.

However, hopes may be rising that Carlsen will play next year. While the champion has previously said he’s tiring of defending the World Championship, he did meet with FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and Director-General Emil Sutovsky on Sunday to discuss potential changes to the championship format. FIDE officials have asked Carlsen to make his final decision on playing by July 20, which is International Chess Day.

The post Nepomniachtchi Wins Second Straight Candidates Tournament, Ding Claims Critical 2nd Place Spot appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.

Unibet now lists Nepomniachtchi as an overwhelming -10000 favorite to win the Candidates Tournament.

Caruana novelty not enough to topple Nepomniachtchi

That number overstates the Russian’s advantage, though perhaps not by all that much. With his draw in Round 9, he remains a full point ahead of Caruana with five games to play. Furthermore, the American no longer has a head-to-head opportunity to catch the leader. Unibet lists Caruana as a +550 pick to win the Candidates Tournament.

Caruana played 1. e4, welcoming Nepomniachtchi to play his solid Petroff Defense. However, the American grandmaster unleashed a novelty on move 11 that seemed to take Nepomniachtchi out of his preparation.

11.Nh4 from Fabiano Caruana seems to be a novelty at the top level! https://t.co/JjEpiLIz3n #c24live #FIDECandidates pic.twitter.com/0H7M03W0Wa

— chess24.com (@chess24com) June 27, 2022

Caruana held the advantage through much of the middlegame, with computer engines giving him reasonable chances to play for a win. However, a mistake on move 24 brought the game back to equality, with Nepomniachtchi actually holding the edge for a short time.

“That’s just bad luck, I guess,” Caruana said afterwards. “It’s by one move that Black draws, but I guess it’s enough.”

Both sides held their ground well enough to secure a draw – a result that was only good for Nepomniachtchi.

“A point is quite a lot with five rounds to go, but not insurmountable,” Caruana said of his deficit after the draw.

Loss sinks Nakamura’s Candidates Tournament chances

Hikaru Nakamura entered Round 9 with a realistic chance of getting into the mix, but left it with faint hopes of contending for first place at the Candidates Tournament. The popular streamer had closed to within 1.5 points of Nepomniachtchi and had Black against last-placed Teimour Radjabov on Monday.

Nakamura knew he had to play for a win, but couldn’t find an advantage in the Berlin Defense. Worse still, he pressed hard in an effort to create complications, only to end up losing in just 41 moves.

“This is what I would say was my attempt to go for it, to try and create something unbalanced and to try and win and give myself an outside chance of perhaps winning the tournament,” Nakamura said of his loss. “As it turns out, unfortunately it’s a very serious error, and I simply end up with a much worse position after what happened in the game.”

Nakamura is now two points back of Nepomniachtchi, and Unibet gives him a +3000 shot at winning the Candidates Tournament.

White had a blast in Round 9 of #FIDECandidates!
⠀
Standings after 9 games going into a free day:
1. Nepomniachtchi – 6½
2. Caruana – 5½
3-4. Nakamura, Ding – 4½
5-7. Radjabov, Firouzja, Rapport – 4
8. Duda – 3
⠀
The tournament will resume with Round 10 on Wednesday, June 29. pic.twitter.com/xKVnbURX3p

— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) June 27, 2022

“Effectively the tournament is over in terms of competing for first place,” Nakamura said. “But there are still five more rounds to go.”

Ding Liren (+2000) is also two points back after beating Jan-Krzysztof Duda to complete a bloody day with three decisive results.

While Nepomniachtchi may have a stranglehold on first place – at least for the moment – the rest of the field still has something to play for. With Magnus Carlsen potentially opting out of defending his World Championship, the match between the top two finishers at the Candidates Tournament could still determine the world champion.

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Nepomniachtchi beat young star Alireza Firouzja on Tuesday to move to three points after four rounds.

Sicilian Defense goes wrong for Firouzja

Unibet now lists Nepomniachtchi as the +130 favorite to win the Candidates Tournament and, perhaps, earn a rematch with World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen.

Nepomniachtchi blew Firouzja off the board in a Najdorf Sicilian that went all wrong for Black. While Firouzja looked to play a lesser-known variation by placing his bishop on c4 for his 15th move, Nepomniachtchi reacted coolly and soon had a winning position.

“I just decided to go for some logical moves,” Nepomniachtchi said afterwards, via Chess.com. “Obviously, his idea was to play 17… d5 18. exd5 Nd6, so I decided to just interrupt with 18. f6. I am not sure if it’s objectively good, but I thought I just give a pawn, put my knight on g3, and at least I shouldn’t be worse.”

A confused Firouzja made multiple mistakes in the next few moves, quickly finding himself low on time and in a losing position. He resigned in the face of a coming checkmate on move 39.

Nepomniachtchi's win over Firouzja in Round 4 makes him the sole leader of the #FIDECandidates!

Standings:
1. Nepomniachtchi – 3 points
2. Caruana Fabiano – 2,5
3-5. Duda, Rapport, Nakamura – 2
6-8. Ding, Radjabov, Firouzja – 1,5

Round 5 is tomorrow, June 22, at 15:00 CEST. pic.twitter.com/6oWirVUi2y

— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) June 21, 2022

Nepomniachtchi now holds a half-point lead over American Fabiano Caruana, who drew Ding Liren with Black in Monday’s Round 4. Caruana ranks as the second choice to win the Candidates Tournament at Unibet, with the bookmaker giving the former World Chess Championship challenger +175 odds.

Caruana: Only first counts in Candidates Tournament

Should Nepomniachtchi or Caruana win the Candidates Tournament, it might increase the likelihood that Carlsen gives up his World Chess Championship rather than defending it. Carlsen has plainly stated that he’s not sure if he wants to play more championship matches, and might only be interested in another title defense if he could play a young, exciting opponent such as Firouzja.

However, Caruana isn’t convinced that Carlsen will give up his crown so easily.

“I don’t really buy into what Magnus says, although he usually speaks his mind and speaks honestly,” Caruana said in the pre-tournament press conference. “If I were in his position, there’s no way that I would not take up the challenge regardless of who wins the Candidates and who qualifies … I understand it’s a bit different as he’s been in that spot more than anyone in modern chess, but to me, I look at this tournament as still only a first place will qualify.”

Caruana was referencing the fact that if Carlsen does give up his title prematurely, the top two finishers in the Candidates Tournament will compete for the World Chess Championship instead.

Richard Rapport (+900), Hikaru Nakamura (+1100), and Jan-Krzysztof Duda (+1400) share third place on two points. Meanwhile, Ding Liren (+900) still rates as one of the top contenders despite a slow start, as he has just 1.5 points after four rounds.

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