Magnus Carlsen Claims Fourth Consecutive Speed Chess Championship in London
World No.1 Magnus Carlsen showcased his dominance in the chess.com speed championship, securing his fourth straight victory in a thrilling final held in Central London last weekend. The Norwegian grandmaster, aged 35, overcame a formidable challenge from France's Alireza Firouzja, 22, with a final score of 15-12 after an intense three-hour battle. This marks a closer contest compared to their previous encounter in Paris, where Carlsen triumphed with a more decisive margin of 23.5-7.5.
Event Format and Key Moments
The speed chess championship featured a rigorous format, comprising 90 minutes of five-minute blitz, 60 minutes of three-minute blitz, and 30 minutes of one-minute bullet segments, all with an additional one-second increment per move. Carlsen emerged victorious in the five-minute segment, tied in the three-minute, and narrowly edged Firouzja 5-4 in the bullet segment, which is considered the French player's specialty. In a critical ninth game, Carlsen's strategic prowess with a white rook and two bishops overpowered Firouzja's black queen, leading to his eventual win. Reflecting on the match, Carlsen remarked, "I felt as though I just outlasted him in the end."
High-Stakes Competition and Notable Upsets
With a substantial prize fund of $250,000, the championship is highly esteemed among grandmasters. Over its decade-long history, the event has only been won by the world's top two players, Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, with Carlsen having lost merely two matches in total. The semi-finals and final were staged before a packed live audience at 180 Studios on The Strand, attracting over 30,000 online viewers. Despite the physical presence of players at the venue, games were conducted online in an esports-style format, with participants using headphones and onsite computers. Carlsen noted during his victory speech that the crowd seemed to favour Firouzja, adding an extra layer of drama to the proceedings.
Surprising Results and Future Events
In a shocking turn of events, Belarusian teenager Denis Lazavik, aged 19, defeated Hikaru Nakamura 13.5-12.5 in the third-place match, marking the first time in a decade that Nakamura has lost to anyone other than Carlsen or Firouzja. Lazavik had previously put up a strong fight against Carlsen in the semi-finals, losing 9-17 but winning the best attack of the match. Meanwhile, attention now shifts to the upcoming Fide Freestyle World Championship in Weissenhaus, Germany, featuring top players like Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana. Nakamura declined his invitation, citing concerns over the event's rushed organization and reduced prize fund.
Supporting Activities and Broader Chess Scene
Prior to the finals, a chess.com all-stars team, led by GM David Howell, decisively defeated the UK Parliamentary Chess Club 14-2. Additionally, Carlsen engaged in a friendly match against England's 10-year-old UK women's blitz champion, Bodhana Sivanandan, winning in 37 moves. Sivanandan described the experience as "valuable, even though I lost," demonstrating strong resistance against the world champion. In other chess news, the 4NCL national league in Britain sees Wood Green leading with maximum points, while the Isle of Wight Masters promises competitive action with top seeds like Gawain Jones.
