Magnus Carlsen experienced one of the worst runs of his career at the World Rapid and Blitz Championships in Hong Kong, losing four consecutive games to grandmasters from India, Armenia, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan. The tournament, with a prize fund of €500,000, has drawn several strong national teams, including the pre-tournament favorites WR Chess, led by the world No. 1.
Dragon Chilling Wins Gold
Dragon Chilling, a relatively unknown chess squad from China, secured the gold medals in the World Teams Rapid event. Teams consist of six players, including one woman, one junior, and one amateur who has never achieved a 2000 rating. The strong performance by Asian teams highlights a chess boom in the region, fueled by successive world champions from China (Ding Liren) and India (Gukesh Dommaraju).
Tournament Format
The rapid time control is 15 minutes per game with a 10-second increment per move from move one, while blitz is three minutes with a two-second increment. Unlike last year's London event, there is no attempt to play without increment, which had caused chaotic endings.
Carlsen's Struggles
Carlsen leads WR Chess, which also suffered early setbacks when Jan-Krzysztof Duda and Aleksandra Goryachkina lost in round two. By the end of the first day, the team was four points behind the leaders. Carlsen's losing streak began in round six against MGD1's Arjun Erigaisi, who defeated the world No. 1 with a raging attack culminating in a queen sacrifice. In round seven, he lost to Armenia's Shant Sargsyan. After sitting out round eight, Carlsen returned to face Javokhir Sindarov, the Uzbek Candidates winner, and lost again. Finally, in round 10, he was beaten by Azerbaijan's Aydin Suleymanli. Carlsen sat out rounds 11 and 12.
England's Representative
England's only participant is former world title challenger Nigel Short, now 61, who plays for Qatar's team alongside other Fide officials. Short started with 5/8 and a 2540 performance rating, showing he retains his skills.
Final Standings
Dragon Chilling, MGD1, and Hexamind (led by Alireza Firouzja) tied for first with 18/24 points, with the Chinese team winning gold on tie-break.
Live Commentary
Live commentary by England's Olympiad gold medallist David Howell is available at fide.com, starting around 7:15 am BST on Friday (rapid), Saturday, and Sunday (blitz).
Press Conference Battle
Before the tournament, WR Chess won a battle of rival press conferences. While the official event featured only Fide president Arkady Dvorkovich and two GMs, WR's podium included Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, special guest Javokhir Sindarov, and even a former prime minister of Mongolia, Zandanshatar Gombojav, who played on the U2000 amateur board. After drawing his first game, Gombojav lost in round seven.
Niemann vs. Nepomniachtchi Feud Continues
A new chapter has been added to the Hans Niemann vs. Ian Nepomniachtchi feud. The two were paired again at the UzChess Cup in Tashkent, where Nepo finished third with 5/9 and Niemann seventh with 4/9, in a round robin won by local GM Mukhiddin Madaminov. At the pre-event meeting, Nepo shook hands with all players except Niemann, saying, 'He has to learn how to behave.' Nepo won their eighth-round game using leftover preparation from his 2021 world title match against Carlsen. They reached a knight ending where Nepo sacrificed his knight for united passed pawns. Objectively, they remain closely matched in the lower half of the world top 20.
Niemann's Team
Niemann has his own team, Endgame AI, in the World Team Rapid/Blitz. He started by winning his first four games on top board against grandmasters, then drew four against elite opponents including Sindarov and former world champion Ding.
