Magnus Carlsen Triumphs Again at World Blitz Championship

Carlsen's Remarkable Victory

After successfully defending his world blitz title, chess superstar Magnus Carlsen expressed relief, acknowledging the fierce competition he faced. He considered himself fortunate to secure a record-extending ninth championship, especially after encountering difficulties in the tournament's initial rounds.

The world’s top-ranked player, Carlsen, showcased his exceptional endgame skills once more, clinching the Blitz title to complement the Rapid gold he earned the previous week. He triumphed over Uzbek Grandmaster Nodirbek Abdusattorov with a score of 2.5-1.5 in the final match held on Tuesday.

Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi, who had performed flawlessly during the 19-round qualification phase, faced a significant setback in the semifinals, ultimately earning a bronze medal at the World Blitz Championship.

Erigaisi's Historic Achievement

The 22-year-old Erigaisi's third-place finish not only secured him medals in both Blitz and Rapid formats but also made him the second Indian male chess player, after the legendary Viswanathan Anand, to earn a World Blitz medal.

Reflecting on the challenging event, Carlsen remarked, 'This was a very tough event for me. It could have gone either way. But when we got to the knockouts, I thought I should really enjoy it, and it worked out.' He managed to win both the Rapid and Blitz gold medals, as reported by FIDE.

In the final against Abdusattorov, Carlsen refused to settle for a draw and executed a surprising pawn move in the fourth game, leading to his victory after both players were tied at 1.5 points.

Carlsen's Journey to the Final

Carlsen's win was particularly gratifying following a series of losses and a significant controversy during the qualifying rounds, where he struggled to advance to the semifinals.

In Round 19, a draw against Abdusattorov allowed both players to secure semifinal spots, with Erigaisi leading the pack. Carlsen then defeated American GM Fabiano Caruana 3-1 to reach the final, while Abdusattorov delivered a crushing 2.5-0.5 defeat to Erigaisi.

Erigaisi had initially stunned competitors, including Carlsen and Abdusattorov, to lead the standings with 10 points from 13 games. He maintained his lead with four wins and two draws in the subsequent rounds.

Erigaisi's Semifinal Struggles

Despite his impressive form, Erigaisi faced challenges in the semifinals against Abdusattorov. After failing to capitalize on his advantage in the opening game, he lost in 47 moves.

Abdusattorov then decisively turned the match in his favor, winning the second game and opting for a quick draw in the third game to secure his place in the final.

Carlsen also faced a setback during the tournament when he lost a piece in time trouble during the 14th round, leading to a controversial loss against Armenia’s Haik Martirosyan.

Controversy Surrounding Carlsen

In a tense moment, Carlsen accidentally knocked over pieces on the board with only two seconds remaining on his clock, which led to Martirosyan being declared the winner after the arbiters intervened.

According to FIDE regulations, players can be penalized for actions that bring the game into disrepute, and Carlsen accepted the ruling gracefully.

In the women's category, Kazakhstan's Bibisara Assaubayeva claimed her third World Blitz title by defeating Ukrainian Grandmaster Anna Muzychuk 2.5-1.5, securing her spot in the 2026 Candidates tournament.

Assaubayeva's Remarkable Achievement

Assaubayeva expressed her joy after the victory, stating, 'It was hard, but it feels great. It’s not easy to do this once, let alone three times. And also to qualify for the Candidates – it’s thrilling.' She plans to take a break before preparing for the Candidates tournament in February.