Nakamura is world no.1 in Rapid and Blitz

FIDE Rapid ratings

The current thinking among the pundits is that the rankings of players will remain relatively constant throughout the different time controls. But it is obvious there are several exceptions to this rule, rather obvious ones. For one thing, Magnus Carlsen, for all his classical chess superiority, has never shown that same relative strength in faster games. There is nothing wrong with this, but it does represent a contrast with champions such as Fischer, Karpov, Kasparov, and Anand, who dominated all time controls. With the following new Top 100 lists, there will be a clearer competition for improved ratings in these modalities, what do you think of these new rankings?

Hikaru Nakamura leads the FIDE ratings in both Rapid and Blitz

The world number one rapid player is currently Hikaru Nakamura, rated 2841, a noted specialist at fast games, and the reputation is clearly deserved. Right behind him, interestingly enough, is Fabiano Caruana (2840), followed by Alexander Grischuk (2828) and Magnus Carlsen (2827). Five players are rated over 2800 in Rapid chess, and Vassily Ivanchuk (2811) completes the quintet. The presence of Dmitry Andreikin as no.11 with 2773 should come as no surprise, since although he drew almost all his matches in last year's World Cup, it was his superior Rapid play that took him to the finals.

In one month, from June 15-21, the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championship will be held at Dubai, UAE, where all best players will compete. Expect exciting games and a deepening fight for the no.1 spot. 

Top 100 Players

Top 100 Women

While Judit Polgar still leads all the Women's ratings lists, her edge is eroding
the faster the time control.

The Women's list presents few surprises, though it does show Judit Polgar's relative rating to be less crushing compared to her colleagues than in classical chess.

Top 100 Juniors

Richard Rapport leads the juniors in Rapid games

Perhaps the most notable difference here is Anish Giri's poorer Rapid rating compared to his classical chess. Hungarian Richard Rapport remains consistent and as a result is the top junior.

Top 100 Girls

Hou Yifan has no competition in the 'strongest girls' department

Of note is Daria Pustovoitova's second place in the top girls with 2451, in comparison to her standard rating of 2336.

Blitz

Blitz has long been known to have its fair share of specialists who were able to consistently overperform at the fastest time controls relative to their standard ratings.

Top 100 Players

In Blitz, Hikaru Nakamura once more lives up to his reputation by taking the number one spot, with 2879, this time with a more significant edge over his peers. In second is Sergey Karjakin with 2866, and in third is Levon Aronian with 2863. Magnus Carlsen is fourth with 2837, but here the first surprise rears its head as Maxime Vachier-Lagrave comes fifth with 2835. Consider that his standard rating is 2758 where he normally trails Carlsen by a good 120 Elo. Still, the biggest surprise in this list is unquestionably 21-year-old IM Stanislav Bogdanovich, rated 2577 FIDE, but with a blitz rating of 2727, ranking him world no.26

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave shows just how strong a blitz player he is

Another interesting result of this is that there are three female players in the Top 100, but more on that below.

Top 100 Women

If Judit Polgar's domination had been chopped down in Rapid play, her edge in Blitz is negligible at best. This is not to say she is not the no.1, since she is, but with a meager 8 Elo points advantage. And who is that no.2? Anna Muzychuk with 2665. In fact this also ranks her as world no.71, men included, while Hou Yifan, close behind with 2662 is world no.76

Not only is Anna Muzychuk only eight points behind Judit Polgar,
but she is ranked 71 in the world in Blitz

Top 100 Juniors

Yu Yangyi is the top junior blitz player, ranked 12th in the world overall, and is
the reigning Chinese Champion

In the top juniors, youth really begins to show its colors in blitz strength, and the no.1 is Yu Yangyi with a fantastic 2771, which is nearly 100 Elo over his standard rating. Anish Giri is doing well with 2755, but the next surprise is Daniil Dubov with 2729, which is 115 Elo over his standard rating. Sound like a lot? Then be sure to check out Ukrainian IM Olexander Bortnyk, who performs at 144 Elo above his standard rating or his untitled brother (we are guessing) Mykola Bortnyk, 2618 whose standard rating is only 2394. Bear in mind that his Blitz rating, that exceeds his standard by 224 Elo, is not the result of some freak performance as it was computed from over 150 FIDE rated blitz games since 2012.

Top 100 Girls

Hou Yifan is the unsurprising no.1 in the girls, but no.2 Wang Jue shows herself to be a blitz specialist with a Blitz rating of 2512 relative to her standard rating of 2363.

Wang Jue showed her prowess in fast time controls with a blitz rating that exceeds
her standard rating by nearly 150 Elo

Click here for the complete FIDE Top 100 lists.