World Blitz Championship: Knockout stage set for an epic finale to 2024
The 2024 FIDE World Blitz Championship, the grand finale of the chess calendar, kicked off with electrifying energy in New York on Monday. After 13 rounds in the Open and 11 in the Women’s, eight players in each competition move to the final, knockout phase. Passersby were puzzled by the large crowds gathered outside the players’ entrance at the iconic Cipriani at 55 Wall Street, with security having to step in to prevent Wall Street being blocked. Spectators pushed around to get a glimpse of their favorite players, with some asking for autographs and snapping pictures. While a few players paused to engage with the crowd, others, like Hikaru Nakamura, hurried past to make it to their boards on time. The loudest cheers erupted as Magnus Carlsen, the defending World Blitz Champion, arrived. Cries of “He’s here! He’s here!” and “Go, Magnus!” echoed through the crowd as Carlsen dashed into the venue, just seconds before the start of the first round. The Blitz format is the fastest and most unforgiving in chess. With a time control of three minutes plus a two-second increment per move, the games demand a mix of speed, precision, and a touch of fortune. As this wasn’t enough already, this year’s FIDE World Blitz introduced a new twist: a knockout stage for the top qualifiers. To reach the knockouts on day two, players faced a grueling gauntlet of games—13 rounds in the Open section and 11 in the Women’s competition. Only the top eight players in each section earned the right to advance to the high-stakes final stage where they will be fighting for the crowns but, also, the $650,000 prize fund ($450,000 for the Open and $200,000 for the Women’s competition). Open Section: The eight equals Ian Nepomniachtchi leads the pack of super GMs going to the final eight. The race was wide open until the end as eight players entered the final round in the Open with nine points each. It was no surprise, then, that top boards sought quick draws, hoping their tiebreak scores would secure them a place in the knockout. But this opened the door for other players to catch up. As the final minutes ticked away, standings at the top shifted rapidly, with tiebreak calculations determining the knockout qualifiers. The final eight in the Open are two-time World Championship Candidate Ian Nepomniachtchi, defending champion Magnus Carlsen, U.S. champion Fabiano Caruana, top U.S. Blitz player Wesley So, France’s Alireza Firouzja, Hans Niemann, Jan-Krzysztof Duda, and new World Rapid Champion Volodar Murzin. U.S. Grandmasters performed strongly, with Fabiano Caruana leading the charge. In round seven, Caruana dismantled Alireza Firouzja, mating the second seed’s king in the middle of the board. A big clash with Magnus Carlsen in round eight was a tense draw. However, a loss to Ian Nepomniachtchi in round 11 edged Caruana out of first place on day one. Wesley So and Hans Niemann also secured places in the knockout. Meanwhile, five more U.S. players finished in the top 20: Daniel Naroditsky, Levon Aronian, Sam Sevian, Leinier Dominguez Perez, and Mikhail Antipov. One notable exclusion from the knockout stage is Hikaru Nakamura. Despite playing on home turf and being considered one of the best Blitz players in the world, Nakamura could not replicate his usual dominance. A shocking early loss to India’s Chithambaram Aravindh and a stumble against Vietnam’s Le Tuan hindered his campaign. His final score of 8.5 points left him outside the top eight. Defending champion Magnus Carlsen put on a great show on day one, but it wasn’t flawless. A slip in a winning pawn endgame against Benjamin Bok cost him a win in round three, but the Norwegian regrouped and scored several crucial victories, including a triumph over Sam Sevian in the penultimate round, to finish among the leaders. Volodar Murzin, at just 18 years old, continued his remarkable run following his victory in the World Rapid Championship. By playing solidly and capitalizing on opponents’ mistakes, Murzin punched his ticket in the knockout, proving his rapid success was no accident. The standings after the first stage of the FIDE 2024 Open World Blitz Championship are available – here. Women’s Section: Vaishali Rameshbabu comfortably ahead of the rest Indian Grandmaster Vaishali Rameshbabu, 23, delivered a stellar performance on day one of the FIDE 2024 Women’s World Blitz Championship. The younger sister of Praggnanandhaa, who was competing in the Open, Vaishali dominated the qualifying stage, scoring 9.5/11 and finishing as the sole leader. Vaishali began the tournament strongly, winning her first four games. In a crucial clash for the lead against former World Blitz Champion Kateryna Lagno, the two players shared the point after a tense struggle. Unfazed, Vaishali powered through her next three games, including a pivotal win over the reigning World Blitz Champion, Valentina Gunina. This triumph put her a full point ahead of the field, effectively securing her qualification for the knockout stage. In round nine, Vaishali split the point in a composed game against Lei Tingjie before defeating the experienced Polina Shuvalova with Black in round 10. With first place already assured, Vaishali opted for a quick nine-move draw against U.S. star Carissa Yip in the final round. The confidence which Vaishali demonstrated in this part of the event makes her the top contender for the final, knockout stage of the event, which takes place on December 31. Lei Tingjie, former Women’s World Championship challenger (pictured below, right), claimed second place with 8.5/11, also remaining undefeated. Seven players, including Kateryna Lagno and Valentina Gunina, tied for third place with eight points each. Lagno secured third, suffering only one defeat – to Gunina, who finished fourth. Gunina recovered well after a slow start, winning four consecutive games mid-tournament. Despite a round-eight loss to Vaishali, Gunina rallied, defeating Zhu Jiner in round nine and drawing her last two games. Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun faced an early upset, losing to U.S. Women’s Champion Carissa Yip in round two after a blunder in a complex endgame. Both
Chess meets finance at the Wall Street Gambit conference
Held at Cipriani Wall Street, the event brought together economists, business leaders, and Grandmasters for a day of discussions and chess. Following the World Corporate Chess Championship in New York this summer, FIDE brought the World Rapid and Blitz event to the Big Apple which, this year, also featured a conference on chess and business. The event highlights the International Chess Federation’s (FIDE) growing efforts to build meaningful connections between chess and the corporate world. The day commenced with a chess tournament featuring participants from the banking and finance sectors. This was followed by keynote speeches and panel discussions exploring the synergies between chess and business decision-making. Chess principles in corporate strategy Timur Turlov, CEO of Freedom Holding Corp and the event’s sponsor spoke about how his company applies chess principles to their operations. Turlov noted the importance of building trust between clients: “Trust is the cornerstone of any system, much like the king in chess. Without trust, everything else collapses,” he explained. Turlov elaborated on how chess-style data-analysis and secure information sharing fosters loyalty and trust, serving as the foundation for his company’s client solutions. AI and Chess: Insights from Kaggle’s CEO J.D. Sculley, CEO of Kaggle, highlighted the role chess played in advancing artificial intelligence. “With more chess positions than atoms in the universe, brute force is no solution—efficiency and clever strategies drive progress,” he remarked. Sculley referenced AlphaZero’s revolutionary approach to chess, which combined computational power with nuanced strategies, as a prime example of innovation. Sculley also detailed Kaggle’s collaboration with FIDE and Google during the World Championship Match in Singapore. This partnership demonstrated AI’s expanding role in chess, offering lessons that extend into broader industries, from predictive analytics to automated decision-making. How chess helped Boaz Weinstein “fish” the “London Whale” Boaz Weinstein, hedge fund manager and founder of Saba Capital Management, shared a story about how chess helped him uncover irregular trading patterns that led to exposing the “London Whale” at J.P. Morgan in 2012, a famous case which made headlines across the world. “I discovered him because I saw some pattern that looked weird to me with what was happening on the very last day of the month with the volume and the price,” Weinstein recalled. Weinstein explained that chess played a role in recognizing the unusual patterns and tracking them, which allowed him to plan and execute his move which ended up shaking the financial world. Drawing parallels between finance and chess, he noted, “Investing is not about winning; it’s about handling losing. Sometimes you don’t have to be right. That often depends on the symmetry.” Kenneth Rogoff: Chess as a model for economic innovation Kenneth Rogoff, Grandmaster and Harvard economist, highlighted the relevance of chess as a model for innovation. “Chess taught me to think in a disciplined, strategic way, which is essential in economics and finance,” Rogoff said. He examined how AI, spurred by developments in chess, has transformed economic models and financial systems. “The lessons from chess databases and artificial intelligence remind us how data can transform decision-making—not just in chess, but also in economics and finance,” he observed. Rogoff, who was the Chief Economist at the IMF between 2001 and 2003, described how his chess background helped him anticipate risks and strategize during the 2007–2012 global financial crisis. Efficiency and pattern recognition: A roundtable on chess and finance A roundtable discussion brought together FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky and other keynote speakers to explore the parallels between chess and finance. Sutovsky emphasized the importance of efficiency in both domains. “While many think chess is about thinking and calculating a lot, often it is about optimizing and finding the most efficient approach in a given time.” Sutovsky also highlighted the role of pattern recognition in distinguishing good players from elite ones. In finance, this skill translates to identifying nuanced market trends and making informed decisions. The panel also debated intuition versus calculation, with all agreeing that balancing these elements is crucial for defensive strategies in both chess and finance. From the boardroom to the chessboard The evening concluded with a unique chess exhibition. Business leaders faced none other than the World Number One Magnus Carlsen, former World Champion Vishy Anand and U.S. Champion Fabiano Caruana in blitz games. The twist? The guests had five minutes on their clocks, while the Grandmasters were restricted to just one minute. The audience cheered as Anand, once renowned for his speed, lost on time—his only defeat of the night. The games were accompanied by live commentary from Grandmaster Maurice Ashley and Woman Grandmaster Keti Tsatsalashvili, providing an entertaining and educational capstone to the event. Bridging two worlds The Wall Street Gambit Conference serves as an example of the connections between chess as a sport and the wider society, highlighting that it is much more than a game of intellect. As chess continues gaining prominence globally, events such as this one show that is has more to offer as it looks to further expand its global reach. Written by Milan Dinic Photos: Lennart Ootes and Michal Walusza
Magnus Carlsen will participate in 2024 FIDE World Blitz Championship
FIDE is pleased to confirm that Magnus Carlsen will participate in the 2024 FIDE World Blitz Championship. Speaking to Levi Rozman from “Take, Take, Take” at the playing venue on Wall Street, Carlsen said: “I am playing at least one more day here in New York and, if I do well, another day after that.” “We had a lot of discussions yesterday, and we have a good relationship with FIDE President Dvorkovich… Speaking to Dvorkovich and the main sponsor Turlov it did feel we could have some fruitful discussions and in the end of the day I decided to play,” Carlsen added. FIDE looks forward to continuing our collaboration with Mr. Carlsen and the global chess community to enhance the conditions and atmosphere of FIDE competitions, ensuring the best possible experience for players and fans alike. This is great news for the chess world. We are delighted that the reigning World Blitz Chess Champion will be competing to defend his title and aim for another crown at the highly anticipated event in New York. All the information about the event, including results, news, images and regulations are available on the official event webpage: worldrapidandblitz.fide.com The full schedule of the event is available here: Schedule – 2024 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships. Follow live commentary by Grandmasters and special guests on FIDE’s official YouTube Channel, starting on the 26th: FIDE chess – YouTube.
A collection of 101 studies celebrating each year of FIDE published
The collaboration between FIDE and the World Federation for Chess Composition (WFCC) reached new heights in 2024, marked by several joint projects. Following the FIDE & WFCC World Cadet & Youth Chess Solving Championships in Italy and Brazil this November, a unique collection of 101 outstanding endgame studies was published to celebrate the art of chess over each year of the FIDE Centenary (1924–2024). The project was spearheaded by Gady Costeff, an acclaimed endgame study composer and advocate for chess artistry. Inspired by a suggestion from FIDE Executive Director Victor Bologan, Costeff undertook the formidable task of picking out a single remarkable chess study for each year of FIDE’s history. Selecting one composer per year, without repetition, highlighted FIDE’s motto, “Gens Una Sumus” (We Are One Family). The result, One Endgame Study in a Thousand, draws from the annual production of roughly a thousand high-quality endgame studies on average. In the words of the editor: “The 101 studies in this book are extraordinary, each in their own way. Incredible mate, stunning sacrifice, astonishing foresight, shocking capture avoidance, mind-boggling depth, humorous maneuvers, and many more delightful surprises await you. Taken together, these studies show the development of the endgame study over the period 1924–2024. The studies are presented with up to six sequential diagrams. Each highlight gets its own diagram, so the reader can follow the action from start to finish, much like they would follow a chess game. The commentary includes insights on the studies, their history, and the composers whose work is presented.” For more information about One Endgame Study in a Thousand, the FIDE Album series—the longest-running collaboration between FIDE and the chess composition world—and other works on chess composition, visit fidealbum.com. When the book celebrating the FIDE Centenary came out, it became the first link in the chain of further inspired initiatives. Renouncing his editor’s fee to support future projects popularizing chess composing, Gady Costeff (pictured below) has found a way to direct the booklet to the hands of future composers. He initiated and organized an international chess composing tourney for complete beginners in the field. To help them, he prepared a concise guide to composing endgame studies ending with a mate. Photo: Gady Costeff’s personal archive Who should be hosting such a tournament? The most fertile ground to look for the talents is India, not only the most populous country in the world, but also a chess superpower. Recognizing India’s immense potential as a chess superpower and its untapped talent in chess solving and composing, the tournament received enthusiastic support from Sagar Shah, Co-Founder & CEO of ChessBase India, and Satanick Mukhuty, Chess Composition Editor at ChessBase India. The tournament, My First Endgame Study, invites novices in composing chess endgames. Entries are open until March 1, 2025, with results announced on March 31, 2025. Let’s give the floor to Satanick Mukhuty, the Chess Composition Editor at CBI, who announced the competition. My First Endgame Study: A Chess Composition Tourney Sponsored by WFCC and ChessBase India Beneath its deceptively simple facade of a game, chess conceals a rich tapestry of human ingenuity and thought. It is, as widely remarked, art, science, and sport all rolled into one. Yet, while the competitive aspect of chess basks in the limelight with its high-stakes, action-packed tournaments and matches, the subtle but no less fascinating endeavour of chess composition, where artistry shines the brightest, languishes in relative obscurity. As a step towards redressing this imbalance, ChessBase India and the World Federation for Chess Composition (WFCC) present My First Endgame Study, a beginner-friendly study composing contest designed for chess enthusiasts eager to explore the creative world of chess composition, specifically studies. Chess compositions fall into two primary categories: problems and studies. In problems, the solver has to achieve the stipulated goal in a set number of moves (example: mate in 2, helpmate in 3, etc.). Studies, in contrast, are more game-like, seeking a win or a draw without restrictions on the number of moves. This is a study composition event only. Anyone who has never published an endgame study can participate. This includes everyone from chess amateurs all the way to world-class players. There is no entry fee. Chess lovers of any age, nationality, etc., can apply! The deadline to send your submission is March 1, 2025. Indeed, composing isn’t a rush job. Tapping into creativity and imagination takes time. You have two full months – January and February – to craft your masterpiece! To participate, submit up to three endgame studies to Satanick Mukhuty, Director of the event, at chessbaseindiasocial@gmail.com. You can send the positions along with the intended solution in any format, but PGNs are preferred. Please, mention “My First Endgame Study” in the subject line, and include your name and place. Theme: All submitted studies must have a checkmate finale; that is, the mainline must end in a mate. Newcomers, you have a clear target: choose a beautiful mate position and then work backwards to create an interesting sequence of moves leading up to it! Results and prizes: The results will be published by March 31, 2025 – all participants will receive a link to the results, which will be presented by Gady Costeff. We are excited to offer a wonderful prize pool for at least 10 most successful composers. Our top creators will receive: Monetary prizes, total of $250: $100, $75, $50, and $25 to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th places respectively. Exclusive copies of the highly anticipated book “One Endgame Study in a Thousand” Premium ChessBase products, including the brand-new ChessBase 18 Judge/Mentor: World-renowned composer Gady Costeff will serve as judge and mentor, offering feedback on submissions. Participants can contact him directly at costeff@gmail.com for advice. How to Compose a Study: To wrap up, here’s Gady’s concise step-by-step guide, illustrated with two examples, to help you compose your first endgame study. 1. Choose a pretty mate position. 2. Where did the mating piece come from? Find a square to place it on, such that White’s only
Statement by FIDE President on dress-code rules for Rapid and Blitz Championships
Dear participants of the World Blitz Championships in New York, Let me begin by thanking all of you for your commitment to compete fairly and for bringing joy to millions of spectators all over the world. It is my distinct pleasure to congratulate the winners, Humpy Koneru and Volodar Murzin, for their hard-earned victories, as well as all those who were successful in the World Rapid Championships that finished yesterday. Coming to the last two days of 2024, I would like to express my deep appreciation to the teamwork conducted by all officials and partners at the events. In particular, with regard to creating the best possible conditions for all players and a consistent application of all previously adopted rules. It is unfortunate that the implementation of dress-code rules, while being legally sound and consistent, has left some feeling this is disproportionate and caused the situation everyone would have preferred to avoid, including some of the words being said at the peak of emotions that one would most probably regret afterwards. The withdrawal of Magnus Carlsen, who has played an exceptional role in elevating the sport of chess to the new heights during the last several years, was an extremely unfortunate consequence of this disconnect. I sincerely regret that this situation escalated without a resolution being found by both sides in time to prevent Magnus’s withdrawal. Having said that, FIDE remains committed to taking concrete steps to ensure that all players feel supported and valued, recognizing their vital role in inspiring fans and advancing the game worldwide. Let me underline that the basics of these rules have been developed carefully. I also hope that the active position of many other players now would lead to improving this important framework in the best interests of the fans, players, the partners and the media. The concerns raised by Magnus Carlsen highlight the need for further discussion about how to modernize the current approach, to ensure that our rules and their application reflect the evolving nature of chess as a global and accessible sport. This includes a continued dialogue with players, sponsors, and the broader chess community, to align expectations and minimize the potential for conflicts in the future. Mutual respect and trust is a critical pre-condition to making this dialogue effective. We must collectively strive to preserve the integrity of chess while also ensuring that the sport remains inclusive and appealing. I look forward to seeing Magnus Carlsen and other top players continue to grace the chessboard in major international events, bringing excitement and inspiration to millions of fans worldwide. As far as the application of the rules during the World Blitz Championships is concerned, based on the consultations with our partners and their preferences, I took the decision to trial an approach to provide more flexibility to FIDE officials in judgements regarding the suitability of the attire. Special assistants will be requested to help in those judgements and make final conclusions, shall any doubts arise. The principle is simple: it is still required to follow the official dress-code, but elegant minor deviations (that may, in particular, include appropriate jeans matching the jacket) are allowed. In the end, it is New Year time, and I sincerely hope that nobody would try to undermine the festive mood, including by abusing this additional flexibility. FIDE is fully committed to another successful century for chess. Let us bring fun to all chess fans together. The game is just beginning! Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President
FIDE FPL and EDC actions on the incident involving GM Kirill Shevchenko
IMPORTANT UPDATE as of January 01, 2025: FPL has finished a full-fledged investigation into the incident involving GM Kirill Shevchenko and passed its materials to EDC. Meanwhile, the provisional suspension of GM Shevchenko from any official activities as a player was prolonged for 60 days staring from January 01, 2025. IMPORTANT UPDATE as of October 18, 2024: Based on the preliminary investigation by FPL, that established a prima facie case against GM Kirill Shevchenko, EDC has suspended GM Shevchenko for a period of 75 days from today, i.e. until 1 January 2025, from any official activities as a player. The EDC is prepared to reconsider its decision regarding the provisional suspension if a motivated request to that effect is received from GM Shevchenko at any time within the next two (2) weeks. Meanwhile, FPL will open a full-fledged investigation into the incident. Lausanne, October 17, 2024 Following the incidents that occurred at the Honor Division of the Spanish Club Chess Championship, which involved Grandmaster Kirill Shevchenko (FIDE ID: 14129574), the FIDE Fair Play Commission immediately initiated preliminary investigations, which led the sole investigator, Vincent Geeraets, to be “comfortably satisfied that a prima facie case has been established against GM Shevchenko”. The measure is deemed to be necessary “because it would be inappropriate for a player of GM Shevchenko’s caliber to take part in tournaments or competitions under the auspices of FIDE while he is under investigation for a cheating offense (“use of phone”).” The request, which was formally presented by FPL Chair Yuri Garrett to EDC Chair Yolander Persaud, is strictly based on the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Code in force: “Art. 12.1e of the Ethics and Disciplinary Code stipulates that a player may be prohibited from participating in chess activities during an investigation. Relevant is art. 12.4a, which indicates that a provisional suspension requires that a prima facie case can be made against the player in question. Art 18.2 of the EDC Procedural Rules indicates that in cases of urgency, such a ban may be imposed directly without the party concerned having been heard beforehand.” It is of paramount importance to highlight that “Such a provisional suspension, however, would not indicate that GM Shevchenko is guilty of a cheating offense. This needs to be carefully investigated on the assumption that the player is innocent.” To this effect, an Investigatory Panel chaired by Vincent Geeraets has been appointed.
Volodar Murzin and Humpy Koneru new FIDE World Rapid Champions
Following a dramatic finish in the Open and Women’s competitions, the chess world got a new chess king and queen in the Rapid. India’s Humpy Koneru clinched her second FIDE World Rapid Crown, while 18-year-old Volodar Murzin made history as the second-youngest person to win the Open Rapid. The third day of the 2024 FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship saw four rounds in the Open and three in the Women’s competition. Eighteen-year-old underdog Volodar Murzin delivered a stellar performance in a fierce field made up of most of the strongest and seasoned players in the world. In the Women’s event, Koneru Humpy, India’s top-rated female chess player, secured her second World Rapid Championship title with a score of 8.5/11, adding to her 2019 victory in Moscow. Rapid Open: Volodar Murzin’s moment Following a spectacular performance featuring seven victories, six draws, and no defeats, 18-year-old Volodar Murzin has claimed the 2024 FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship. He is now the second-youngest player to win the title, after Nodirbek Abdusattorov’s victory in 2021. In his first remarks after the claiming the title, Murzin’s words reflected the attitude of an uncompromising world champion: “For me, it’s easy to play with top Grandmasters because it’s very interesting to play with them. I wanted to win, I was a bit lucky, but it worked”. When asked if he has idols in his chess career, Murzin was brisk: “I don’t.” The 18-year-old demonstrated consistent brilliance throughout the tournament. Leading on both the first and second days, he maintained his momentum during the final four rounds on day three. His decisive push began in round 10, where he secured a victory over Jan-Krzysztof Duda, the 2021 World Cup winner. He followed this with a hard-fought draw against the legendary Alexander Grischuk in round 11. In round 12, Murzin defeated Indian prodigy Praggnanandhaa R who made a crucial blunder in a wining but very sharp endgame position, entering the final round with 9.5 points – a half-point lead over the field. He was closely pursued by seven elite players, with Grischuk at nine points and six others, including Ian Nepomniachtchi, trailing at 8.5 points. In the climactic final round, Murzin, playing White, faced Armenian GM Karen H. Grigoryan. A win would secure the title outright, while a draw could force a tiebreak if Grischuk prevailed in his game. However, the tension eased for Murzin early in the round as Grischuk made a quick draw with Leinier Dominguez. With the pressure off, Murzin played solidly, steering the game to a comfortable draw and claiming the title. Second place was shared by Alexander Grischuk (pictured below) and Ian Nepomniachtchi, both finishing on nine points. At 41, Grischuk – a three-time World Blitz Champion – delivered a resurgent performance, underscoring his enduring strength in rapid chess. Nepomniachtchi also impressed on the final day, defeating Uzbek prodigy Javokhir Sindarov with Black in round 10. After two draws in rounds 11 and 12, Nepomniachtchi closed strongly with a win against American GM Sam Sevian to secure joint second. Six players tied for third place on nine points. Notably absent from the top standings was Hikaru Nakamura, who finished with 7.5/13. Despite being one of the pre-tournament favorites, the streaming superstar struggled for consistency and ended in the middle of the scoreboard. Final standings Rapid Open Humpy Koneru clinches her second World Rapid crown India’s top-rated chess player and one of the most seasoned competitors in women’s chess, Koneru Humpy, secured her second World Rapid Championship title, finishing the tournament with 8.5/11. She won her first gold in the 2019 edition, in Moscow. In a seven-way tie at the top at the start of the final, 11th round, Koneru stood out as the only player to score a victory. Playing with the black pieces, she outmanoeuvred Indonesia’s International Master Irine Kharisma Sukandar in a challenging endgame, claiming the title in style. Koneru’s victory adds another feather to the spectacular success of Indian chess in 2024, after the country won gold in the Chess Olympiad this summer in both the Open and the Women’s Competition, and Gukesh D won the title of World Champion in classical chess. Koneru’s path to the top began quietly, with just 2.5 points out of four on day one. By the conclusion of day two, however, she surged into shared first place alongside compatriot Harika Dronavalli and reigning Classical World Champion Ju Wenjun of China. Then came the most critical part: With just three rounds remaining, the final day of the Rapid was a scramble for top places. Entering the last round, the leaderboard featured an unprecedented seven-way tie. Alongside Koneru – Ju Wenjun, Harika Dronavalli, Kateryna Lagno, Tan Zhongyi, Irine Kharisma Sukandar, and Uzbekistan’s Afruza Khamdamova all held a chance at the title. Lagno, one of the pre-tournament favorites, had earlier dealt a critical blow to former World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk in round nine, while Khamdamova stunned Grandmaster Elisabeth Paehtz to join the leaders. Amid expectations of tiebreaks, Koneru’s win in the final round rendered them unnecessary. Her 8.5 points secured clear first place, half a point ahead of a pack of six players who tied for second: Ju Wenjun, Kateryna Lagno, Tan Zhongyi, Harika Dronavalli, Alexandra Kosteniuk, and Afruza Khamdamova. Last year’s champion, Anastasia Bodnaruk, endured a disappointing final day, suffering two losses before salvaging a victory in the last round. She concluded the tournament with 6.5 points, finishing mid-table. Final standings Women Next up: The World Blitz Things are about to get more exciting, with the World Blitz coming up next. A two-day action on 30 and 31 December will see the strongest world players in the Open and the Women competition tested in nerve-wracking Blitz games, where luck and second can have more power than chess excellence! Written by Milan Dinic Photos: Lennart Ootes and Michal Walusza All the information about the event, including results, news, images and regulations are available on the official event webpage: worldrapidandblitz.fide.com The full schedule of the event is available here:
FIDE World Rapid: 18-year-old Murzin shines, Ju takes the lead in Women’s event
Four rounds were played on the second day of the FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship in both the Open and Women’s sections, delivering several surprises on and off the board. After nine rounds, four players share the lead in the Open section: Volodar Murzin, Jan-Krzysztof Duda, Arjun Erigaisi, and Alexander Grischuk. In the Women’s competition, after eight rounds, Ju Wenjun emerged at the top, together with two Indian superstars – Harika Dronavalli and Koneru Humpy, all on 6.5. Rapid Open: Four players in the lead The sole leader after day one, 18-year-old Murzin, maintained his strong form. He drew against three top contenders—Leinier Domínguez, Arjun Erigaisi, and Anish Giri—before capping the day with a resounding victory over none other than U.S. heavyweight Hikaru Nakamura. Alexander Grischuk was the standout performer among the leaders, scoring 3.5 points out of four games to surge into the top group. Duda and Erigaisi also impressed, each adding three points to their tally. Close behind the leaders is a group of 10 players with 6.5 points, including American GMs Sam Sevian, Leinier Domínguez, and Daniel Naroditsky. Meanwhile, super-GMs Hikaru Nakamura, Levon Aronian, Alireza Firouzja, and Fabiano Caruana are on six points, still within striking distance of the top. One of the day’s most inspiring stories came from 15-year-old IM Brewington Hardaway from the Bronx (pictured below). With four draws and a victory over strong grandmasters, Hardaway completed the requirements for the GM title, becoming the first African-American grandmaster in the U.S. in 25 years, following Maurice Ashley. Hardaway’s ultimate test came early in the day when he faced world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen. Despite giving his best, time trouble and Carlsen’s experience ultimately prevailed. Hardaway ended the day with four points. For defending World Rapid Champion Magnus Carlsen, the day brought mixed results. After defeating Hardaway in round six, Carlsen narrowly escaped a loss to Daniel Dardha in round seven due to Dardha’s time trouble. The Norwegian rebounded with a comfortable victory over compatriot Aryan Tari in round eight. However, Carlsen was not paired for round nine after refusing to comply with the tournament’s dress code, which he had agreed to upon registration. He later publicly announced his withdrawal from the tournament. Standings after Round 9 Women’s Rapid: Ju Wenjun takes the lead The Women’s section saw a major shake-up at the top. Alice Lee, the day one leader, stumbled in her first game, losing to reigning Classical World Champion Ju Wenjun. After a flawless four-game victory streak on day one, Lee managed just one draw from four games on day two, plummeting in the standings. Ju Wenjun capitalized on Lee’s slip, climbing to shared first place with 6.5 points. Ju’s victories included a crucial win over one of her biggest threats, Tan Zhongyi, in round six. Two draws in the final rounds kept her in the lead. Joining Ju at the top are Indian stars Harika Dronavalli and Humpy Koneru, also on 6.5 points. Dronavalli’s stellar performance included back-to-back victories over Zhu Chen and Lei Tingjie in the last two rounds of the day. The chasing pack includes five players on six points, among them U.S. standout Carissa Yip and rapid veterans Kateryna Lagno and Alexandra Kosteniuk. Standings after Round 8 Written by Milan Dinic Photos: Lennart Ootes and Michal Walusza All the information about the event, including results, news, images and regulations are available on the official event webpage: worldrapidandblitz.fide.com The full schedule of the event is available here: Schedule – 2024 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships. Follow live commentary by Grandmasters and special guests on FIDE’s official YouTube Channel, starting on the 26th: FIDE chess – YouTube.
FIDE statement regarding Magnus Carlsen’s dress code breach
FIDE regulations for the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships, including the dress code, are designed to ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants. Today, Mr. Magnus Carlsen breached the dress code by wearing jeans, which are explicitly prohibited under long-standing regulations for this event. The Chief Arbiter informed Mr. Carlsen of the breach, issued a $200 fine, and requested that he change his attire. Unfortunately, Mr. Carlsen declined, and as a result, he was not paired for round nine. This decision was made impartially and applies equally to all players. Earlier in the day, another participant, Mr. Ian Nepomniachtchi, was also fined for breaching the dress code by wearing sports shoes. However, Mr. Nepomniachtchi complied, changed into approved attire, and continued to play in the tournament. The dress code regulations are drafted by members of the FIDE Athletes Commission, which is composed of professional players and experts. These rules have been in place for years and are well-known to all participants and are communicated to them ahead of each event. FIDE has also ensured that the players’ accommodation is within a short walking distance from the playing venue, making adherence to the rules more convenient. FIDE remains committed to promoting chess and its values, including respect for the rules that all participants agree to follow.
Historic first for New York and chess: FIDE World Rapid and Blitz debut on Wall Street
In a historic moment for chess and the U.S., the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships opened on Wall Street, featuring 300 strongest players from across the globe. The first day of the Rapid belongs to the youngest players, as prodigies lead in both the Open and the Women’s competition. Drawing millions of online viewers every last week in December, the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz is one of the most exciting, dramatic and memorable annual chess tournaments. For the first time, FIDE has brought this event to the U.S., to one of the world’s most iconic cities. Thanks to the support of Freedom Holding Corp., a NASDAQ-traded financial services company, the 2024 edition is taking place on Wall Street, a stone’s throw from the New York Stock Exchange. Highlighting the synergy between chess and finance, FIDE Deputy President and former World Champion Vishy Anand noted: “New York is the financial center of the world, and this week it will transform into the chess center of the world, hosting the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships”. He added that the event will include a chess and finance conference exploring their unique connections. CEO of Freedom Holding Corp. Timur Turlov, whose company has been supporting chess events since 2022, noted the importance of the game as “a vital part of the culture and history of humanity”. “New York embodies the spirit of tolerance, fair competition, and achievement. Regardless of gender, age, or nationality, everyone here can find success and realize their potential. Just like on the chessboard”, Turlov said. The President of the U.S. Chess Federation, Kevin Pryor, reminded everyone about the Christmas spirit of the season by adding a chess link to it. “As the song goes, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. For the global chess community, we expand that meaning with the annual World Rapid and Blitz Championship”. Pryor highlighted the rich chess history of New York and its vibrant chess community. The 2024 WRB opened with the Rapid tournament that will last three days. The first day of the Rapid saw five rounds in the Open and four in the Women’s tournament. Open Rapid Despite all the attention, the top-favorite and defending World Rapid Champion, Magnus Carlsen is in the shadows, having scored just 2.5 points out of five. Instead, the first day of the 2024 World Rapid in the Open competition belongs to 18-year-old Volodar Murzin (pictured below, left), who scored an impressive 4.5/5, including a notable victory against Fabiano Caruana in round two. In round five, Murzin drew as Black with seasoned heavyweight Levon Aronian, not giving him an inch of advantage throughout the game. “I just play, and I prefer playing against strong players,” Murzin said after the rounds have finished, adding that he hopes to win the tournament. With 4.5 points, Murzin leads the tournament alongside Shant Sargsyan, Leinier Dominguez Perez, and Daniel Naroditsky (who is also a chess commentator for the New York Times; pictured below). Top chess streamer and blitz specialist Hikaru Nakamura finished on four points, joining a large group of contenders that includes, among others, Anish Giri, Levon Aronian, Arjun Erigaisi, and Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Defending his fifth Rapid World Championship title, Magnus Carlsen struggled on day one. After a surprising round-one draw as White against Awonder Liang, he secured a comfortable win in round two against Montenegro’s Denis Kadric. However, subsequent games proved challenging. He narrowly escaped a loss to Hungary’s Gleb Dudin, 400 points lower-rated, and drew as White. Reflecting on the game, Carlsen admitted to Norwegian broadcaster NRK: “A very, very poor performance… It was bad.” This turned out to sum up his day: in round four he drew with Aleksandr Shimanov despite having a sizable advantage at some point. In the final game of the day, Carlsen misplayed as Black against Denis Lazavik, rated 300 points lower. The Norwegian had to give up his queen for a knight and a rook, hoping for a miracle, which did not come. But Carlsen is no stranger to a slow start. As Vishy Anand noted – the Norwegian has the greatest consistency in making good moves, and he improves as the tournament progresses. Standings after Round 5 Women’s Rapid: 15-year-old Alice Lee stuns the competition The leader of the Women’s World Rapid was decided in a dramatic duel for first place, in the final, fourth round of the day. Alice Lee (15; pictured below), the youngest American woman player to attain the title of International Master and the winner of the 2024 Women’s American Cup, is in sole first place. In round four, she defeated Valentina Gunina – the 2012 and 2023 Women’s World Blitz Champion – in a dramatic game. In the fifth round, she will be facing World Champion in classical chess, Ju Wenjun, who leads a group of five players on 3.5 points. Gunina, who had won her first three games, got off to a good start in the leaders’ clash, achieving a notable advantage against Alice Lee. However, in a tense middlegame, she allowed her opponent to retake the initiative and ultimately secure victory. After day one, she is on three points, together with former Women’s World Champions Alexandra Kosteniuk and Anna Muzychuk. Among the other top contenders, second-ranked Lei Tingjie (pictured below, right) is on 2.5 points, together with the heavyweights Zhu Chen, Humpy Koneru and Mariya Muzychuk. Anastasia Bodnaruk, who won the 2023 Women’s Rapid, is on 50%, having suffered a notable round two loss to former Women’s World Champion Tan Zhongyi. Standings after Round 4 The World Rapid and Blitz continue with the action on Friday, with the games in the Open starting at 2PM ET, and at 2:15 PM in the Women’s tournament. Written by Milan Dinic Photos: Lennart Ootes and Michal Walusza All the information about the event, including results, news, images and regulations are available on the official event webpage: worldrapidandblitz.fide.com The full schedule of the event is available here: Schedule – 2024 FIDE World Rapid and