The line was drawn for the lightning world championships in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on Saturday, where Estonian women’s number one Mai Narva finished in 16th place. Valentina Gunina and Magnus Carlsen became world champions.
Narva, who a few days earlier had finished the speed skating World Cup in 12th place, collected a total of 10.5 points in the speed skating tournament that lasted two days and 17 mini-games, enough for 16th place.
Narva started the tournament with two consecutive victories and after one defeat went on another three-match winning streak, after which the momentum slowed down a bit: in the next five meetings they had three draws and two defeats. Even though Narva was ultimately not involved in the top game, he still finished the tournament with two consecutive victories.
Valentina Gunina, playing under the neutral flag, became the women’s world champion, earning 14 points during the tournament. It was her second World Cup title, the last time she Gunina became lightning world champion was in 2012, but she won two more silver medals in the meantime. Second is the Swiss Alexandra Kosteniuk with 13.5 points, in the top three is the Chinese Jiner Zhu with 12.5 points.
Valentina Gunina wins the 2023 FIDE Women’s Blitz World Championship!
Valentina is no stranger to the podium at the FIDE Rapid and Blitz Women’s World Championship:
♟️ She was Blitz champion in 2012
♟️ Won silver medal in blitz in 2016 and 2017
♟️ Won the bronze medal at… pic.twitter.com/o6X66xxb6W— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 30, 2023
The winner in the open category was none other than the 33-year-old Norwegian Magnus Carlsen, who also became world champion in the fastest tournament. This is the Norwegian’s seventh Blitz World title.
“I’m relieved and exhausted. It wasn’t an easy day. I felt like I had adrenaline all day. But in the end it’s hard for everyone and no one plays their best game anymore. I just had to survive the match and I’m happy to have succeeded”, said the world champion at the end of the tournament.
Carlsen collected a total of 16 points in the 21-game tournament, ahead of Daniil Dubov (15.5 points) and Vladislav Artemjev (15 points) who played under the netural banner.
Magnus Carlsen wins the 2023 FIDE Blitz World Championship and his seventh blitz title!
In the 2023 FIDE Rapid and Blitz World Championships, Magnus successfully defended both of his titles!
What a show! Congratulations!
Lennart waiting pic.twitter.com/fx2bLqdVwm
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 30, 2023
2023-12-30 14:02:00
mai-narva-finished-the-blitz-world-championship-with-16th-place-chess
#Mai #Narva #finished #Blitz #World #Championship #16th #place #Chess