In chess, the final of the Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge went all the way to a tie-breaking Armageddon match from which Russian Daniil Dubov emerged as champion after beating Hikaru Nakamura of the United States. 

Japanese-born American Nakamura, who knocked Carlsen out in the semi-finals, won the first of the final's three mini-matches on Monday.

But Dubov of Russia, who beat China's Ding Liren in the semi-final, fought back on Tuesday to force a deciding mini-match, which was level at 2-2 after four games – one win and two draws apiece.

The two speed chess specialists tied in their first match on the third day of the final, but Dubov came back to win the second match over the favored American.

Nakamura then roared back to take match three, before the rivals drew again in the fourth to set up an Armageddon clash to settle the score.

Dubov took an early lead in the deciding match, but struggled to seal the deal as Nakamura held on and tried to come back to life.

In the end it was white over black when Nakamura saw no exit, and finally threw in the towel with Dubov having just over 30 seconds left on the clock.

The 24-year-old Russian walked away with 45,000 U.S. dollars in prize money and a place at the table for the 300,000 U.S. dollars Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour Grand Final. 

(Cover image: World Rapid Champion Daniil Dubov of Russia holds a trophy during an awards ceremony, Saint Petersburg, Russia, December 30, 2018. /VCG)