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Magnus Carlsen and Valentina Gunina are World Blitz 2023 champions

by Shahid Ahmed - 31/12/2023

Magnus Carlsen drew his final round game against Levon Aronian to become World Blitz 2023 champion. He drew his game after he saw Daniil Dubov splitting the point against Dmitry Andreikin. Dubov was the only person who could have forced Playoffs had he won his game and Carlsen drew. In that case, the world no.1 would have required to beat Aronian to avoid Playoffs. Arjun Erigaisi scored 14/21 to finish sixth, followed by Aravindh Chithambaram 13.5/21 at 14th place. Both delivered outstanding performance especially Aravindh. Valentina Gunina defeated Anna Muzychuk to win World Blitz 2023 Women. Harika Dronavalli scored 11/17 to finish seventh, followed by IM Divya Deshmukh 11/17 at 13th place. D Gukesh has officially earned his place at the FIDE Candidates 2024. Photo: Aditya Sur Roy

Only MVL manages to beat Magnus

Out of 21 Blitz games, World Blitz 2021 champion - Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA) was the sole person to beat the eventual champion in Round 13. Despite starting the day with a loss, Carlsen recovered, scored 7/8 in the last eight games to become a clear champion. This is his seventh World Blitz title and overall 17th World title, combining Classical, Rapid and Blitz.

World Rapid and Blitz Champions (L to R): IM Anastasia Bodnaruk (Women Rapid), GM Magnus Carlsen (Rapid and Blitz Open) and GM Valentina Gunina (Blitz Women) | Photo: Aditya Sur Roy
The Magnus Carlsen interview after World Rapid and Blitz 2023 | Video: ChessBase India

World Rapid 2023 Open: Silver - GM Vladimir Fedoseev (SLO) 9.5/13, Gold - GM Magnus Carlsen (NOR) 10/13 and Bronze - GM Yangyi Yu (CHN) 9/13 | Photo: FIDE/Anastasia Korolkova

World Rapid 2023 Women: Silver - GM Koneru Humpy 8.5/11, Gold - IM Anastasia Bodnaruk 8.5/11 and Bronze - GM Tingjie Lei (CHN) 8.5/11 | Photo: FIDE/Anastasia Korolkova
Koneru Humpy on her World Rapid Women 2023 Silver medal win | Video: ChessBase India

World Blitz 2023 Open: Silver - GM Daniil Dubov 15.5/21, Gold - GM Magnus Carlsen 16/21 and Bronze - GM Vladislav Artemiev 15.5/21 | Photo: FIDE/Anastasia Korolkova

World Blitz 2023 Women: Silver - GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI) 13.5/17, Gold - GM Valentina Gunina 14/17 and Bronze - GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) 12.5/17 | Photo: FIDE/Anastasia Korolkova

Round 13 Open: MVL beats Magnus

Perhaps one of the reasons Magnus Carlsen (NOR, 2748) lost to Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA, 2748) in the first game of the final day was, they were joking about Dubov-Nepomniachtchi's previous day draw which gave them 0-0.

Alina Dvoretskaya, CEO Advisor of Freedom Holding Corp., Partner of the World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2023, made the ceremonial first move on Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Magnus Carlsen's board in Round 13 Open | Photo: Shahid Ahmed
The Magnus Carlsen conqueror in Uzbekistan - Maxime Vachier Lagrave | Video: ChessBase India

World Blitz 2021 champion - Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA) became the sole player to beat Magnus Carlsen (NOR) at World Rapid and Blitz 2023 | Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Nihal Sarin missed multiple winning chances against Arjun Erigaisi | Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Round 10 Women: GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) - IM Divya Deshmukh: 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Round 14 Open: Carlsen bounces back, Arjun and Nihal draw against Dubov and Yangyi

After suffering a setback at the beginning of the final day, Magnus Carlsen bounced back with a victory against Alexey Sarana (SRB, 2707).

When Magnus Carlsen plays like Mikhail Tal | Carlsen vs Sarana | Video: ChessBase India

Alexey Sarana (SRB) faced the wrath of wounded Magnus Carlsen (NOR) | Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Arjun Erigaisi had a hard fought draw against Daniil Dubov | Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Abdusattorov (UZB) won the battle of the Nodirbeks against Yakubboev (UZB) | Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Round 15: Carlsen outplays Arjun to stay in pursuit

Carlsen outplayed Arjun Erigaisi to stay a half point 11/15 behind the sole leader Vladislav Artemiev (2799) 11.5/15. Jorden van Foreest (NED, 2664) lost to Aravindh Chithambaram (2584) in a 13-move miniature.

A stunning game | Magnus Carlsen vs Arjun Erigaisi | Video: ChessBase India

It is not easy to fend off Magnus Carlsen with the black pieces twice in four days | Photo: Shahid Ahmed
Aravindh Chithambaram stuns Jorden van Foreest in 13 moves | Video: ChessBase India

Round 16: Magnus and Arjun beat Indjic and Praggnanandhaa

Magnus Carlsen defeated Aleksandar Indjic (SRB, 2631) with ease. Arjun Erigaisi bounced back with a victory against his good friend - R Praggnanandhaa.

Magnus Carlsen (NOR) defeated the world's tallest GM Aleksandar Indjic (SRB) comfortably | Photo: Shahid Ahmed
When walking buddies go for war on board - Arjun Erigaisi vs Praggnanandhaa | Video: ChessBase India

Since FIDE World Cup 2023 elimination, Arjun Erigaisi defeated R Praggnanandhaa for the first time in a rated game | Photo: Shahid Ahmed
When the Beast goes 1.b3 - Adhiban vs Anish Giri | Video: ChessBase India

Round 17: Carlsen joins the lead as Duda holds Artemiev to a draw

Magnus Carlsen scored a fine victory over Yangyi Yu (CHN, 2714) to join the lead with Vladislav Artemiev (2799). Jan-Krzysztof Duda (POL, 2775) drew against Artemiev.

Carlsen - Yangyi

Position after 26.c4!

26.c4! is undoubtedly the move of the day. Carlsen shared later in the interview, "It's quite typical. When you have a far advanced passed pawn, you just have to do everything in order to push it forward..."

Carlsen makes stunning moves without thinking - Magnus Carlsen vs Yangyi Yu | Video: ChessBase India

Magnus Carlsen played some fantastic chess to beat Yangyi Yu (CHN) | Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Jan-Krzysztof Duda (POL) - Vladislav Artemiev: 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Round 14 Women: GM Valentina Gunina - GM Koneru Humpy: 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Round 18: Carlsen beats Duda to gain sole lead, Artemiev loses to Indjic, Nepomniachtchi goes down against Arjun

Magnus Carlsen grinded a relatively balanced knight endgame against Jan-Krzysztof Duda (POL). Vladislav Artemiev lost a 91-move long grueling battle versus Aleksandar Indjic (SRB). Arjun Erigaisi (2729) capitalized on Ian Nepomniachtchi's (2795) tactical mistake.

Jan-Krzysztof Duda vs Magnus Carlsen - The epic saga continues | Video: ChessBase India

Jan-Krzysztof Duda - Magnus Carlsen games are always a must-see | Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Aleksandar Indjic (SRB) did what no one else was able to do on the final day - stop the seemingly unstoppable Vladislav Artemiev, allowing Carlsen to gain sole lead | Photo: Shahid Ahmed
Arjun Erigaisi stuns two-time World Championship finalist Ian Nepomniachtchi | Video: ChessBase India

Round 15 Women: GM Bella Khotenashvili (GEO) - IM Divya Deshmukh: 0-1

Round 19: Carlsen wins against Rapport, maintains sole lead

IM Divya Deshmukh defeated former women's world champion, GM Mariya Muzychuk (UKR) in Round 16 Women.

The Unstoppable Machine - Magnus Carlsen vs Richard Rapport | Video: ChessBase India

Magnus Carlsen - Richard Rapport games are always exciting to watch | Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Round 20: Carlsen draw, Arjun loses a winning game against Aronian

The latest chapter in the Arjun Erigaisi - Levon Aronian witnessed the former suffering a heartbreak as he lost a winning endgame against the only two-time World Cup winner in history. Despite a 1/3 start, GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) made a strong comeback by scoring 10/13 without losing a single game. In the final round, she was paired against GM Valentina Gunina. The latter won the game and the tournament.

The Pain of losing a won game - Arjun Erigaisi vs Levon Aronian | Video: ChessBase India

Round 21: Carlsen gets furious with color break before winning the World Blitz title for the seventh time

Magnus Carlsen was absolutely furious with his pairing of getting consecutive black color for the third time at this event. He wanted an explanation and once it was presented, he was ready to play the game. He kept an eye on the Dubov-Andreikin battle. Once they drew, he also had no hesitation in splitting the point with Aronian as Dubov was the only player who could have forced the Playoffs if he had won his game.

The game that made Magnus Carlsen the World Blitz Champion 2023 | Video: ChessBase India

Chief Arbiter IA Ivan Syrovy (SVK) having a discussion with Magnus Carlsen (NOR) before the start of the final round

Chief Arbiter - IA Ivan Syrovy (SVK) explaining the reasoning to Magnus Carlsen (NOR)
Magnus Carlsen is the World Blitz 2023 Champion | Video: ChessBase India

Aravindh Chithambaram drew against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA) to finish 14th with 13.5/21
Nepo does not capture a hanging rook for 4 moves! | Bardiya vs Nepomniachtchi | Video: ChessBase India
Baadur Jobava vs Arjun Erigaisi | Video: ChessBase India

Video Gallery

Meet the 20 Avengers of Indian chess at Samarkand airport | Video: ChessBase India
Anish Giri finds unique bishop idea before the game | Video: ChessBase India
Happy New Year from the Tashkent Airport! | Video: ChessBase India
A small note from Uzbekistan! | Video: ChessBase India
Closing Press Conference of World Blitz 2023 | Video: ChessBase India
Closing Ceremony of World Rapid and Blitz 2023 | Video: ChessBase India

Lots of games will be published soon, stay tuned.

 

For more Round 13 Open and 10 Women14O and 11W, 15O and 12W, 16O and 13W and 17-21O and 14-17W photos, please click at the respective links.

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Watch World Rapid Open and Women 2023

Live Commentary of Day 5 by GM Vishy Anand and WGM Anastasiya Karlovich from 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST | Video: FIDE

Round 21 Open results

Rd.Bo.No.NameRtgPts.ResultPts.NameRtgNo.
21411GMVachier-Lagrave Maxime274814½ - ½13GMAravindh Chithambaram Vr.258462
21754GMJobava Baadur2599130 - 113GMErigaisi Arjun272914
211224GMPraggnanandhaa R266512½0 - 112½IMMakarian Rudik2540102
211475GMHovhannisyan Robert2570121 - 012GMNihal Sarin268920
212082GMNarayanan S L256412½ - ½12GMVokhidov Shamsiddin258861
212191GMPetrosyan Manuel2556120 - 111½GMGukesh D265729
212955GMPredke Alexandr259411½ - ½11GMSadhwani Raunak266822
213233GMVidit Santosh Gujrathi264211½ - ½11GMAdhiban B.257670
2133141GMBharath Subramaniyam H2435111 - 011GMSanal Vahap263735
2135140GMKarthik Venkataraman2440110 - 111GMRiazantsev Alexander262142
2141111GMMitrabha Guha251210½½ - ½10½GMSargsyan Shant263338
2148144GMAditya Mittal242510½1 - 010½GMPranav V256284
216073GMBrunello Sabino25731 - 0GMPranesh M2481130
2167119GMChanda Sandipan24900 - 1GMAbdisalimov Abdimalik2417147
217796GMGanguly Surya Shekhar2549½ - ½Akhmedov David2154190

Details

Final standings

Rk.SNoNameFEDRtgPts. TB1  TB2  TB3  TB4 w-weKrtg+/-
11GMCarlsen, MagnusNOR288716256,5265,526730-0,1510-1,5
28GMDubov, DaniilFID276315,5262,5272,5270003,011030,1
33GMArtemiev, VladislavFID279915260,5271,5270201,591015,9
411GMVachier-Lagrave, MaximeFRA274814,5260,5269267001,641016,4
54GMNepomniachtchi, IanFID27951426327126700-0,1810-1,8
614GMErigaisi, ArjunIND272914256264265201,031010,3
76GMAronian, LevonUSA277214239,5247,525970-1,3210-13,2
889GMLazavik, DenisFID255614233239259004,101041
939GMIndjic, AleksandarSRB263113,5256,5266267403,761037,6
105GMDuda, Jan-KrzysztofPOL277513,525526526400-0,8510-8,5
1110GMRapport, RichardROU274813,5244,5253,526200-0,7010-7
122GMCaruana, FabianoUSA281513,524425226060-2,5710-25,7
139GMYu, YangyiCHN276213,5242,525126320-0,7110-7,1
1462GMAravindh, Chithambaram Vr.IND258413,5240247,5261803,671036,7
1518GMGrischuk, AlexanderFID269913,5233,5242,525450-1,3610-13,6
1612GMAndreikin, DmitryFID274113,523223925670-1,8710-18,7
17102IMMakarian, RudikFID254013,5225,5232,5257003,491034,9
18127GMDaneshvar, BardiyaIRI248313,5225231254704,401044
1959GMMurzin, VolodarFID259113257265,5270005,081050,8
2017GMSarana, AlexeySRB270713254263,526140-0,3210-3,2

Details

Round 17 Women results

Rd.Bo.No.NameRtgPts.ResultPts.NameRtgNo.
17312GMDronavalli Harika2420110 - 111½GMZhu Jiner238418
17463WGMMunkhzul Turmunkh221111½ - ½10½WGMDivya Deshmukh231532
1758GMKoneru Humpy245210½0 - 110½GMLagno Kateryna25223
171028IMShuvalova Polina2342101 - 0IMVaishali Rameshbabu241014
171813IMArabidze Meri241691 - 09WGMPriyanka Nutakki222458
172026IMTsolakidou Stavroula234590 - 19FMSahithi Varshini M218968
173685WIMRudzinska Michalina21130 - 1IMPadmini Rout230237
173889WIMYan Tianqi20860 - 1WGMRakshitta Ravi222557
173983WIMSerikbay Assel21261 - 0Velpula Sarayu1747112
1743102WFMGetman Tatyana201471 - 07IMSoumya Swaminathan215475
175269WGMSavitha Shri B218361 - 06WFMKaliakhmet Elnaz1839110

Details

Final standings

Rk.SNoNameFEDRtgPts. TB1  TB2  TB3  TB4 w-weKrtg+/-
124GMGunina, ValentinaFID234814170177238005,911059,1
27GMKosteniuk, AlexandraSUI245513,5173,5182232601,991019,9
318GMZhu, JinerCHN238412,5170178,5233802,602052
463WGMMunkhzul, TurmunkhMGL221111,5176,5184240806,9120138,2
53GMLagno, KaterynaFID252211,5165,5173,523380-1,1110-11,1
65IMAssaubayeva, BibisaraKAZ247611168,517523380-0,6710-6,7
712GMDronavalli, HarikaIND242011168173232900,29102,9
833WGMKamalidenova, MeruertKAZ231411161,5167,5233002,452049
99GMMuzychuk, AnnaUKR244711160,516822360-2,0610-20,6
1016GMStefanova, AntoanetaBUL239811158,5165,522700-0,4810-4,8
116GMGoryachkina, AleksandraFID247511157,516422840-1,8010-18
1228IMShuvalova, PolinaFID234211157165230501,322026,4
1332WGMDivya, DeshmukhIND231511155,5157,5230301,862037,2
142GMJu, WenjunCHN25221115316123080-2,1810-21,8
1577WIMMkrtchyan, MariamARM215010,5159,5168,5233205,4020108
1640IMNarva, MaiEST229210,5158165,5231402,202044
178GMKoneru, HumpyIND245210,5156159,522730-1,9810-19,8
1851WIMNurmanova, AluaKAZ224910,5155161230002,7840111,2
1910GMMuzychuk, MariyaUKR244310,515316022520-2,1810-21,8
2025IMMunguntuul, BatkhuyagMGL234810,5151,515922250-0,9710-9,

Details

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