In a display of sheer resilience and champion mentality, Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen reclaimed the World Rapid Chess Championship crown for a historic sixth time in Doha, Qatar. This remarkable victory came just a day after he faced a setback in the seventh round against Russia's Vladislav Artemiev.
Carlsen's Champion Comeback Seals Historic Sixth Title
Following his defeat, the fighter within Carlsen emerged dominantly on Sunday. He embarked on a spectacular winning streak, securing five consecutive victories to storm back into title contention. By the end of the 12th and penultimate round, Carlsen had jumped to the sole lead with 10 points, placing him within touching distance of the title he lost last year.
In the final round, a quiet 24-move draw with Anish Giri was all he needed. Carlsen finished with 10.5 points to emerge as the undisputed champion once again, solidifying his legacy as the king of rapid chess.
Indian Glory: Arjun Erigaisi and Koneru Humpy Secure Bronze
The championships were also a moment of pride for India, with two podium finishes. Arjun Erigaisi, India's top-ranked player in the open section, clinched the bronze medal. He became only the second Indian after the legendary Viswanathan Anand to achieve a podium finish in the open section of this prestigious event. Anand had won the rapid title back in 2017.
Arjun's path to the medal was dramatic. After a loss in the 11th round, his chances seemed slim. However, he bounced back strongly to win the last two rounds. Fortunes favored him as the joint second-placed leaders drew their games, allowing Arjun to finish joint second on 9.5 points with Artemiev, Hans Niemann, and Leinier Dominguez Perez. He ultimately secured the bronze based on a Buchholz tie-break score of 98.
In the women's section, Koneru Humpy added another medal to her illustrious career. The two-time champion and Indian No. 1 tied for first with 8.5 points alongside China's Zhu Jiner and Russia's Aleksandra Goryachkina. However, due to a lower tie-break score, Humpy had to settle for the bronze medal. Goryachkina eventually won the title after beating Zhu Jiner in a playoff.
Tie-Break Rules Spark Discussion
The event highlighted a difference in FIDE's tie-break rules for the open and women's sections. In the open section, all players tied for first enter a playoff. In the women's section, only the top two players advance. This rule meant Humpy, despite being tied on points, could not contest for the gold in a playoff, a point of discussion for many chess followers.
Meanwhile, Vladislav Artemiev took the silver in the open section with a tie-break score of 105.5. The Doha championship once again proved to be a thrilling spectacle of top-level rapid chess, crowning a familiar champion and celebrating new heroes from India.
