Carlsen storms to victory in blitz event

Carlsen storms to victory in blitz event

Magnus Carlsen played 27 games of chess here over the last five days. He lost just one of those games. The man who beat him was Arjun Erigaisi.

So, the World No. 1 had a score to settle. And he did, in the penultimate round of the Tata Steel Chess India blitz tournament at the Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium on Sunday.

That win would be enough for him to claim the title. Thus, for the second time in three days, the Norwegian won an elite tournament with a round to spare.

While Carlsen won the rapid title by a margin of two points, he finished on top of the blitz table by 1.5 points. He ended his campaign with a win, against Vidit Gujrathi.

Wesley So, the third-seeded American, took the runner-up spot, while Arjun finished third. It was a fine comeback for the youngster from Warangal though, after his disappointing show in the rapid section, in which he was placed eighth.

The women’s event also produced a champion with a round to spare. Russian Kateryna Lagno showed why she is a three-time World champion in this format.

A draw in the penultimate round was all she needed to ensure the title. She got that, with black pieces, in a rook ending with D. Harika.