New Delhi: Five-time world champion and current world no.1 Magnus Carlsen continued his dominating run at the Tata Steel Chess 2024 in Kolkata on Sunday. Carlsen completed a remarkable double by clinching the blitz title with a round to spare having already won the rapid title with a round to spare earlier this week.
Carlsen defeated India’s Vidit Gujrathi in the final round to win the blitz title at the Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium in Kolkata. Carlsen, who had gone down against India’s no.1 Arjun Erigaisi in the blitz round on Saturday, made a strong comeback as he defeated the Indian prodigy in the penultimate round to reach an unassailable 12 points and seal the title.
Carlsen’s win against Erigaisi in the penultimate round was a virtual final between the duo where the Norwegian triumphed comfortably. The world no.1 then went on to defeat Gujrathi in the final round to finish with a total of 13 points to take the blitz crown, completing a special double of both rapid and blitz titles at the tournament.
Arjun Erigaisi falters
With the double, Carlsen repeated his feat from 2019 when he won both rapid and blitz titles at the Tata Chess. Filipino-American Grandmaster Wesley finished second after scoring 8 out of 9 points on the final day to bag 11.5 points in total. Erigaisi failed to finish on top of the podium despite riding high after beating Carlsen on Saturday as he lost his last three games to squander his chances.
He finished third with 10.5 points followed by fellow Indian R Praggnanandhaa, who finished 4th with 9.5 points. Gujrathi and Daniil Dubov bagged nine points each to take the 5th and 6th spots, respectively. The Indian trio of Erigaisi, Praggnanandha and Gujrathi failed to challenge Carlsen for the title but did well to take the 3rd, 4th and 5th spots, respectively.
After winning the rapid title, world no.1 Magnus Carlsen continued his stellar run at the Tata Steel Chess 2024 as he also clinched the blitz title with a round to spare in Kolkata on Sunday. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
