Magnus Carlsen and Bibisara Assaubayeva are the World Blitz 2022 champions, Humpy Silver

by Shahid Ahmed - 31/12/2022

Magnus Carlsen has become World Blitz champion for the sixth time in his career. He won it in 2009, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019 and now 2022. The Norwegian also became World Triple Crown champion for the third time in his career (2014, 2019 and 2022). Unlike 2019, this time Carlsen became a clear champion by scoring 16/21, a full point ahead of Hikaru Nakamura (USA) 15/21. Haik Martirosyan (ARM) scored the same and finished third on tie-breaks. The defending champion, IM Bibisara Assaubayaeva (KAZ) won her last five games to clinch the Gold 13/17. Koneru Humpy scored a magnificent 8.5/9 in her last nine games to secure Silver 12.5/17. IM Polina Shuvalova won the Bronze 12/17. Photo: Amruta Mokal

Humpy scores 8.5/9 in her last nine games

IM Bibsara Assaubayeva became the third woman in history after GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) and GM Kateryna Lagno to win World Blitz Women title in consecutive editions. Anna did it in 2014 and 2016, Lagno in 2018 and 2019 and now Bibisara in 2021 and 2022. Both Bibisara and Humpy made fantastic comebacks in the last few rounds. While Bibisara scored 7/8 on the second day, Humpy made 7.5/8 on the final day. The former lost to lost to the eventual Bronze medalist IM Polina Shuvalova in Round 12, the latter beat her in Round 16. The top two finishers, Bibisara and Humpy did not face each other. Pentala Harikrishna is the top Indian finisher in the Open section scoring 13/21 to finish 17th. Nihal Sarin also scored the same and he was placed 18th.

World Blitz 2022 Women and Open champions - IM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) and GM Magnus Carlsen (NOR) | Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

World Blitz 2022 Women Top 3 (L to R): Silver - GM Koneru Humpy, Gold - IM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) and Bronze - IM Polina Shuvalova | Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

World Blitz Open Top 3 (L to R): Silver - Hikaru Nakamura (USA), Gold - Magnus Carlsen (NOR) and Bronze - Haik Martirosyan (Bronze) | Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

World Blitz 2022 medalists | Photo: Amruta Mokal

World Rapid Women Top 3 (L to R): Gold - GM Tan Zhongyi (CHN), Bronze - WIM Savitha Shri B and Silver - IM Dinara Saduakassova (KAZ, not in picture) | Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

World Rapid 2022 Women Bronze medalist - WIM Savitha Shri B with World Blitz 2022 Women Silver medalist - GM Koneru Humpy

This is Humpy's first medal at World Blitz Women event. Previously she won Bronze in 2012 and Gold in 2019 at World Rapid Women Chess Championship.

World Rapid 2022 Open Top 3 (L to R): Silver - Vincent Keymer (GER), Gold - Magnus Carlsen (NOR) and Bronze - Fabiano Caruana (USA) | Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

It's a tradition now! The Magnus Carlsen interview after World Rapid and Blitz 2022 | Video: ChessBase India

No draws for Carlsen

On the final day of World Blitz 2022, Magnus Carlsen did not make a single draw. He started with a win over the eventual Bronze medalist, GM Haik Martirosyan (ARM, 2745).

Only Magnus Carlsen's pawns can move backwards! | Anish and Dubov attempt to troll Magnus! | Video: ChessBase India

GM Haik Martirosyan showed why he is a Blitz specialist at World Blitz 2022 | Photo: Amruta Mokal

Then he beat GM Richard Rapport (ROU, 2654) in an outstanding game. It is the game which Carlsen enjoyed the most in recent times as he mentioned in the post-tournament interview linked above.

Carlsen - Rapport, Round 14

Position after 38....Ka8

Here 39.f3 shuts the long diagonal for the queen and then f8Q in the next move is a deadly threat which Black cannot stop and keep d5-pawn protected at the same time. Carlsen missed this as he did not realize that Black has no threat in this position. He only realized 39.f3 was there afterwards.

The most insane Magnus Carlsen game you will ever see | Carlsen vs Rapport | Video: ChessBase India

After an exhausting win against Rapport, Carlsen lost to his former World Championship Challenger, Ian Nepomniachtchi (2782). Well, Nepo ultimately got his bargain, albeit in a different format and stakes altogether.

Why was Magnus Carlsen extremely angry at the end of this game against Nepo? | Video: ChessBase India

The World Champion struck back immediately in the next game against World Rapid 2022 Silver medalist, GM Vincent Keymer (GER, 2600).

Caruana - Carlsen, Round 17

Final position after 50...Rh8

49.g4 would have still kept the game going. 49.Ke3 allowed Carlsen to find the beautiful resource Rh8!

World Rapid 2022 Bronze medalist, Fabiano Caruana put up a very good fight against Magnus Carlsen | Photo: Amruta Mokal

16-year-old IM Madaminov Mukhiddin (UZB, 2333) was unable to keep his calm and make a draw in an equal same colored bishop endgame. This win helped Carlsen gain sole lead for the first time in this event 14/18.

The agony of losing to Magnus Carlsen - Carlsen vs Madaminov | Video: ChessBase India

The 16-year-old IM Madaminov will certainly look for way to redeem this loss against Carlsen in the years to come | Photo: Amruta Mokal

IM Madaminov had beaten GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov in Round 13 and eventually became the top IM finisher | Photo: Amruta Mokal

In Round 19, Carlsen lost to GM Alexey Sarana (2708). Having coffee before the game despite not being a coffee person, made him over excited and he suffered his second loss of the day. This one got over in just 24 moves. Sarana scored 9.5 points in his last ten games before he faced Carlsen. That is what momentum does in sports.

The way in which Magnus Carlsen resigns this game is epic | Sarana vs Carlsen | Video: ChessBase India

Carlsen was paired against the former World Rapid champion, GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB, 2666) in the final round. After an epic battle in the World Rapid 2022, the world champion had one final test to pass. He was quite okay to draw the game and was ready for Playoff. However, Abdusattorov wanted more.

Magnus Carlsen's moment of pure happiness on becoming World Blitz 2022 after beating Abdusattorov | Video: ChessBase India

The moment of joy after beating Abdusattorov and realizing that he has become the World Blitz champion, triple crown winner for the third time | Photo: Amruta Mokal

"Of the three world titles this one is the dearest!" - Carlsen on winning World Blitz 2022 | Video: ChessBase India

The curious controversial case of shouting in between the game | Video: ChessBase India

Women: Bibisara retains her crown, Humpy wins Silver

IM Polina Shuvalova (2361) was leading for the better part of the tournament. The first-ever FIDE Women's World Cup winner, GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (2469) halted her momentum in Round 14.

It was Polina Shuvalova's tournament to lose, nevertheless she delivered a stellar performance to secure the Bronze medal | Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

She drew with IM Meri Arabidze (GEO, 2404) in Round 15. Polina was still leading by a half point 11.5/15. Bibisara 11/15 and Humpy 10.5/15 were close on her heels. In Round 16, Humpy struck Polina and dethroned her from the top of the leaderboard.

In the final round, Humpy beat GM Tan Zhongyi (CHN, 2510) to finish clear second. If Harika managed to hold IM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ, 2404) to a draw, Humpy would have faced the defending champion in Playoffs. Unfortunately Harika lost and Humpy had to settle for Silver.

Humpy - Tan, Round 17

Position after 17.Qc7

The mistake was not 16...cxd4 and overlooking 17.Qc7, it was 17...Bd5 which allowed 18.Rxd4 making deadly threats on the d-file pinned bishop and knight. Black had no choice but to go for 18...Rac8 19.Qxc8+ Rxc8 20.Rxc8+. A player of Humpy's caliber does not miss these great opportunities in crunch situation.

GM Koneru Humpy en route her win over GM Tan Zhongyi (CHN) in the final round to win the Silver | Photo: Amruta Mokal

Koneru Humpy personifies - Form is temporary, Class is Permanent | Photo: FIDE/Lennart Ootes

IM Bibisara Assaaubayeva registered her fifth consecutive victory to defend her World Blitz Women's title successfully | Photo: Amruta Mokal

World Blitz Women's champion 2022 - IM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) | Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

More game videos and interviews are coming soon, stay tuned.

Replay Blitz Open Round 13-21 games

Replay Blitz Women Round 10-17 games

Round 21 results Blitz Open

Bo.	No.		Name	FED	Rtg	Pts.	Result	Pts.		Name	FED	Rtg	No.	PGN
1	3	GM	Carlsen Magnus *)	NOR	2830	15	1 - 0	13	GM	Abdusattorov Nodirbek	UZB	2666	25	PGN
2	9	GM	Duda Jan-Krzysztof	POL	2773	14½	0 - 1	13½	GM	Sarana Alexey	FID	2708	18	PGN
3	1	GM	Nakamura Hikaru	USA	2909	14½	½ - ½	12½	GM	Harikrishna Pentala	IND	2617	46	PGN
4	13	GM	Martirosyan Haik M.	ARM	2745	14	1 - 0	13	GM	Caruana Fabiano	USA	2847	2	PGN
5	8	GM	Nepomniachtchi Ian	FID	2782	13½	0 - 1	13½	GM	Dubov Daniil	FID	2792	6	PGN
6	31	GM	Rapport Richard	ROU	2654	13	1 - 0	13½	GM	Artemiev Vladislav	FID	2803	5	PGN
7	7	GM	Giri Anish	NED	2792	13½	1 - 0	12½	GM	Esipenko Andrey	FID	2620	43	PGN
8	10	GM	Vachier-Lagrave Maxime	FRA	2771	12½	0 - 1	13	GM	Fedoseev Vladimir	FID	2733	15	PGN
9	4	GM	Yu Yangyi	CHN	2807	12½	0 - 1	12½	GM	Andreikin Dmitry	FID	2735	14	PGN
10	38	GM	Salem A.R. Saleh	UAE	2633	12½	1 - 0	12½	GM	Grischuk Alexander	FID	2763	11	PGN
11	59	GM	Keymer Vincent	GER	2600	12½	1 - 0	12½	GM	Shimanov Aleksandr	FID	2605	57	PGN
12	40	GM	Petrosian Tigran L.	ARM	2632	12	½ - ½	12½	GM	Lazavik Denis	FID	2484	116	PGN
13	111	GM	Vakhidov Jakhongir	UZB	2507	12	1 - 0	12	GM	Amin Bassem	EGY	2713	17	PGN
14	150	IM	Madaminov Mukhiddin	UZB	2333	12	0 - 1	12	GM	Nihal Sarin	IND	2702	19	PGN
15	21	GM	Matlakov Maxim	FID	2674	12	½ - ½	12	GM	Sargsyan Shant	ARM	2602	58	PGN

Details

Final standings Blitz Open

Rk.	SNo		Name	FED	Rtg	Pts.	TB1	TB2	TB3	TB4
1	3	GM	Carlsen Magnus	NOR	2830	16	264	274	2721	0
2	1	GM	Nakamura Hikaru	USA	2909	15	272,5	283	2726	0
3	13	GM	Martirosyan Haik M.	ARM	2745	15	258	267,5	2677	0
4	7	GM	Giri Anish	NED	2792	14,5	268	277	2711	0
5	9	GM	Duda Jan-Krzysztof	POL	2773	14,5	262,5	273,5	2698	0
6	6	GM	Dubov Daniil	FID	2792	14,5	258	267	2692	0
7	18	GM	Sarana Alexey	FID	2708	14,5	234,5	242	2599	0
8	15	GM	Fedoseev Vladimir	FID	2733	14	256,5	265,5	2688	0
9	31	GM	Rapport Richard	ROU	2654	14	247	255,5	2644	0
10	5	GM	Artemiev Vladislav	FID	2803	13,5	260,5	270	2690	0
11	14	GM	Andreikin Dmitry	FID	2735	13,5	251,5	261	2637	0
12	8	GM	Nepomniachtchi Ian	FID	2782	13,5	250,5	259,5	2676	0
13	59	GM	Keymer Vincent	GER	2600	13,5	248,5	257	2693	0
14	38	GM	Salem A.R. Saleh	UAE	2633	13,5	222	230,5	2555	0
15	2	GM	Caruana Fabiano	USA	2847	13	250,5	259,5	2643	0
16	116	GM	Lazavik Denis	FID	2484	13	248	257	2694	0
17	46	GM	Harikrishna Pentala	IND	2617	13	242	250	2601	0
18	19	GM	Nihal Sarin	IND	2702	13	239,5	248,5	2606	0
19	25	GM	Abdusattorov Nodirbek	UZB	2666	13	235,5	243,5	2584	0
20	103	GM	Dardha Daniel	BEL	2528	13	235,5	242,5	2609	0

Details

Round 17 results Blitz Women

Bo.	No.		Name	FED	Rtg	Pts.	Result	Pts.		Name	FED	Rtg	No.	PGN
1	4	GM	Koneru Humpy	IND	2474	11½	1 - 0	12	GM	Tan Zhongyi	CHN	2510	2	PGN
2	10	GM	Harika Dronavalli	IND	2407	10½	0 - 1	12	IM	Assaubayeva Bibisara	KAZ	2404	12	PGN
3	22	IM	Shuvalova Polina	FID	2361	11½	½ - ½	10½	IM	Badelka Olga	FID	2337	23	PGN
4	11	IM	Arabidze Meri	GEO	2404	10½	1 - 0	10½	GM	Kosteniuk Alexandra	FID	2469	5	PGN
5	7	GM	Stefanova Antoaneta	BUL	2427	10½	½ - ½	10½	GM	Dzagnidze Nana	GEO	2416	8	PGN
6	3	GM	Goryachkina Aleksandra	FID	2484	10	0 - 1	10	GM	Lagno Kateryna	FID	2522	1	PGN
7	6	IM	Khademalsharieh Sarasadat	IRI	2431	10	0 - 1	10	IM	Mammadzada Gunay	AZE	2383	17	PGN
8	9	GM	Abdumalik Zhansaya	KAZ	2413	10	1 - 0	10	GM	Gunina Valentina	FID	2368	18	PGN
9	31	IM	Tania Sachdev	IND	2309	10	0 - 1	10	GM	Paehtz Elisabeth	GER	2396	14	PGN
10	21	IM	Zatonskih Anna	USA	2362	9½	1 - 0	9½	IM	Nomin-Erdene Davaademberel	MGL	2296	38	PGN

Details

Final standings Blitz Women

Rk.	SNo		Name	FED	Rtg	Pts.	TB1	TB2	TB3	TB4
1	12	IM	Assaubayeva Bibisara	KAZ	2404	13	164,5	170,5	2375	0
2	4	GM	Koneru Humpy	IND	2474	12,5	148,5	155,5	2260	0
3	22	IM	Shuvalova Polina	FID	2361	12	171	178,5	2398	0
4	2	GM	Tan Zhongyi	CHN	2510	12	169	175	2389	0
5	11	IM	Arabidze Meri	GEO	2404	11,5	155,5	161,5	2326	0
6	1	GM	Lagno Kateryna	FID	2522	11	165,5	172,5	2343	0
7	8	GM	Dzagnidze Nana	GEO	2416	11	163	170,5	2346	0
8	23	IM	Badelka Olga	FID	2337	11	161,5	168	2324	0
9	14	GM	Paehtz Elisabeth	GER	2396	11	158	165	2314	0
10	17	IM	Mammadzada Gunay	AZE	2383	11	155,5	161,5	2315	0
11	7	GM	Stefanova Antoaneta	BUL	2427	11	155	162	2315	0
12	9	GM	Abdumalik Zhansaya	KAZ	2413	11	138,5	145	2223	0
13	10	GM	Harika Dronavalli	IND	2407	10,5	173	181	2391	0
14	24	GM	Danielian Elina	ARM	2331	10,5	171	178	2350	0
15	5	GM	Kosteniuk Alexandra	FID	2469	10,5	160,5	168	2313	0

Details

Final standings of Indian players

SNo		Name	Rtg	FED	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	Pts.	Rk.	Group
12	GM	Erigaisi Arjun	2750	IND	½	½	½	1	1	0	0	1	0	1	1	1	½	½	1	0	0	0	1	½	1	12	42	Open
19	GM	Nihal Sarin	2702	IND	1	1	1	0	1	0	0	1	0	1	1	1	0	½	½	1	1	½	0	½	1	13	18	Open
24	GM	Vidit Santosh Gujrathi	2669	IND	1	1	½	0	½	0	1	0	1	1	1	0	0	1	1	0	½	1	0	0	0	10,5	90	Open
30	GM	Sadhwani Raunak	2657	IND	1	0	1	1	½	1	0	1	½	½	1	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	10,5	84	Open
46	GM	Harikrishna Pentala	2617	IND	1	0	½	½	1	1	½	½	1	½	1	½	½	1	½	½	0	½	1	½	½	13	17	Open
50	GM	Adhiban B.	2613	IND	1	0	0	0	1	1	½	0	1	0	1	1	½	1	1	0	0	1	1	0	1	12	49	Open
68	GM	Aravindh Chithambaram Vr.	2586	IND	1	0	0	½	½	1	1	0	0	1	1	1	0	1	1	0	0	½	1	1	0	11,5	60	Open
87	GM	Narayanan S.L.	2562	IND	1	0	0	1	1	0	0	1	½	½	0	0	0	1	1	1	0	0	½	1	1	10,5	97	Open
101	GM	Ganguly Surya Shekhar	2530	IND	1	1	0	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	1	1	1	11	72	Open
104	GM	Harsha Bharathakoti	2527	IND	0	1	0	0	1	1	0	½	0	1	½	0	1	0	0	½	0	1	1	0	0	8,5	148	Open
112	GM	Puranik Abhimanyu	2506	IND	0	1	½	0	0	1	0	1	0	½	0	1	0	0	0	1	1	½	1	0	1	9,5	126	Open
124	GM	Narayanan Srinath	2459	IND	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	½	1	½	0	½	1	½	0	0	1	0	1	1	1	10	113	Open
125	GM	Pranav V	2440	IND	1	1	1	0	0	1	1	0	0	½	0	½	½	1	0	0	1	1	1	0	1	11,5	58	Open
128	GM	Sankalp Gupta	2438	IND	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	1	0	1	1	0	9	136	Open
132	GM	Arjun Kalyan	2426	IND	½	0	½	½	0	1	0	½	0	1	0	½	0	1	0	1	0	1	½	½	0	8,5	149	Open
4	GM	Koneru Humpy	2474	IND	0	0	1	1	0	1	½	½	1	1	1	1	1	½	1	1	1					12,5	2	Women
10	GM	Harika Dronavalli	2407	IND	1	1	1	½	1	½	½	1	0	½	1	0	1	½	0	1	0					10,5	13	Women
29	WIM	Savitha Shri B	2311	IND	0	1	0	0	1	1	0	0	1	1	0	1	1	1	½	1	0					9,5	34	Women
31	IM	Tania Sachdev	2309	IND	1	1	0	1	1	0	1	½	½	0	0	1	1	1	½	½	0					10	21	Women
36	IM	Padmini Rout	2298	IND	1	1	0	0	0	1	1	1	1	0	0	1	0	1	½	1	1					10,5	17	Women

Details

Replay the Live Stream

FIDE World Blitz Round 13-21 Open and 10-17 Women - Live Commentary by GM Alexander Shabalov and WGM Keti Tsatsalashvili | Video: FIDE

Links

Official site

Tournament Regulations: Open and Women

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