The SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia, a significant stop on the prestigious Grand Chess Tour, has reached its critical rapid and blitz stages in Zagreb. This leg of the tour features a blend of formats: a single round-robin in Rapid chess (25 minutes + 10 seconds increment) followed by an intense double round-robin in Blitz (5 minutes + 2 seconds increment). With a substantial prize fund totaling $175,000 and valuable Grand Chess Tour points on the line, the competition among the world`s elite players is fierce.
Some of the world`s top Grandmasters gathered for the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia.
Blitz Dominance After 18 Rounds
As the whirlwind of 18 blitz rounds concludes, the standings reveal a familiar pattern at the very top. World number one Magnus Carlsen has asserted his dominance, leading the field with a score of 12.5 points out of a possible 18. His performance rating of 2889 underscores a truly exceptional showing in this high-speed format.
Hot on Carlsen`s heels are Wesley So and Nodirbek Abdusattorov, both tied on 12.0 points. So currently holds the edge on tie-breaks, placing him second, while Abdusattorov sits in third. Their performances were also remarkable, both exceeding the 2880 mark, demonstrating their prowess in blitz.
Fourth place is occupied by Alireza Firouzja, who finished with a solid 11.0 points, maintaining his position among the leading pack. The battle for the top spots, and the valuable GCT points they award, remains incredibly tight at the summit.
Unexpected Challenges for Other Favorites
While the top four demonstrated impressive form, the unforgiving nature of blitz chess presented significant challenges for other renowned participants. Notably, players like World Championship challenger Fabiano Caruana (rated 2777) and the reigning Candidates winner Gukesh D (rated 2776) finished considerably lower in the standings. Caruana is currently in 7th place with 8.0 points, while Gukesh D is in 10th place with 5.5 points. For players of their caliber, these results highlight the demanding and sometimes unpredictable dynamics of elite blitz tournaments.
Other strong Grandmasters, including Anish Giri (5th, 9.0 points), Jan-Krzysztof Duda (6th, 8.0 points), and R. Praggnanandhaa (8th, 6.0 points), also navigated a mixed bag of results, finding consistent performance difficult in the packed schedule.
Here is a snapshot of the final Blitz standings:
| Rank | Name | Rating | Nationality | Points | Games | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlsen,M | 2837 | NOR | 12.5 | 18 | 2889 |
| 2 | So,W | 2745 | USA | 12.0 | 18 | 2883 |
| 3 | Abdusattorov,N | 2767 | UZB | 12.0 | 18 | 2881 |
| 4 | Firouzja,A | 2766 | FRA | 11.0 | 18 | 2836 |
| 5 | Giri,A | 2748 | NED | 9.0 | 18 | 2758 |
| 6 | Duda,J | 2725 | POL | 8.0 | 18 | 2717 |
| 7 | Caruana,F | 2777 | USA | 8.0 | 18 | 2712 |
| 8 | Praggnanandhaa R | 2767 | IND | 6.0 | 18 | 2631 |
| 9 | Saric,I | 2661 | CRO | 6.0 | 18 | 2643 |
| 10 | Gukesh D | 2776 | IND | 5.5 | 18 | N/A |
Note: Nationality flags were not available in the raw standings data provided for simple text transcription, relying on common knowledge for top players where possible (e.g., Carlsen-NOR, So-USA). Performance for Gukesh D was also not visible in the snippet table provided.
The Battle for Grand Chess Tour Points
Beyond the prize money, the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz event is crucial for players aiming to qualify for the Grand Chess Tour finals. The points earned here contribute significantly to the overall tour standings, adding another layer of importance to every game.
Carlsen`s strong performance in the blitz segment positions him favorably, but the close scores among the leaders mean the distribution of GCT points will be keenly watched. The struggles faced by some top players will impact their overall tour standings, potentially opening opportunities for others.
The tournament serves as a stark reminder that even the world`s best can find it challenging to navigate the unique pressures and speed of top-level rapid and blitz competition. The event in Croatia continues to deliver high-stakes chess and intriguing results.
