Magnus Carlsen and Bibisara Assaubayeva are the World Blitz 2022 champions

by Shahid Ahmed
– Magnus Carlsen has become World Blitz champion for the sixth time in his career. He won it in 2009, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019 and now 2022. The Norwegian also became World Triple Crown champion for the third time in his career (2014, 2019 and 2022). Unlike 2019, this time Carlsen became a clear champion by scoring 16/21, a full point ahead of Hikaru Nakamura (USA) 15/21. Haik Martirosyan (ARM) scored the same and finished third on tie-breaks. The defending champion, IM Bibisara Assaubayaeva (KAZ) won her last five games to clinch the Gold 13/17. Koneru Humpy scored a magnificent 8.5/9 in her last nine games to secure Silver 12.5/17. IM Polina Shuvalova won the Bronze 12/17. Photo: Amruta Mokal
Your personal chess trainer. Your toughest opponent. Your strongest ally.
FRITZ 20 is more than just a chess engine – it is a training revolution for ambitious players and professionals. Whether you are taking your first steps into the world of serious chess training, or already playing at tournament level, FRITZ 20 will help you train more efficiently, intelligently and individually than ever before. 

Bibisara scores 5/5 in her last five games

IM Bibsara Assaubayeva became the third woman in history after GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) and GM Kateryna Lagno to win World Blitz Women title in consecutive editions. Anna did it in 2014 and 2016, Lagno in 2018 and 2019 and now Bibisara in 2021 and 2022. Both Bibisara and Humpy made fantastic comebacks in the last few rounds. While Bibisara scored 7/8 on the second day, Humpy made 7.5/8 on the final day. The former lost to lost to the eventual Bronze medalist IM Polina Shuvalova in Round 12, the latter beat her in Round 16. The top two finishers, Bibisara and Humpy strangely did not face each other. Pentala Harikrishna is the top Indian finisher in the Open section scoring 13/21 to finish 17th. Nihal Sarin also scored the same and he was placed 18th.

 

World Blitz 2022 Women and Open champions - IM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) and GM Magnus Carlsen (NOR) | Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

World Blitz 2022 Women Top 3 (L to R): Silver - GM Koneru Humpy, Gold - IM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) and Bronze - IM Polina Shuvalova | Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

World Blitz Open Top 3 (L to R): Silver - Hikaru Nakamura (USA), Gold - Magnus Carlsen (NOR) and Bronze - Haik Martirosyan (Bronze) | Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

World Blitz 2022 medalists | Photo: Amruta Mokal

World Rapid Women Top 3 (L to R): Gold - GM Tan Zhongyi (CHN), Bronze - WIM Savitha Shri B and Silver - IM Dinara Saduakassova (KAZ, not in picture) | Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

World Rapid 2022 Open Top 3 (L to R): Silver - Vincent Keymer (GER), Gold - Magnus Carlsen (NOR) and Bronze - Fabiano Caruana (USA) | Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman
 
It's a tradition now! The Magnus Carlsen interview after World Rapid and Blitz 2022 | Video: ChessBase India

No draws for Carlsen

On the final day of World Blitz 2022, Magnus Carlsen did not make a single draw. He started with a win over the eventual Bronze medalist, GM Haik Martirosyan (ARM, 2745).

 
Only Magnus Carlsen's pawns can move backwards! | Anish and Dubov attempt to troll Magnus! | Video: ChessBase India

GM Haik Martirosyan showed why he is a Blitz specialist at World Blitz 2022 | Photo: Amruta Mokal

Then he beat GM Richard Rapport (ROU, 2654) in an outstanding game. It is the game which Carlsen enjoyed the most in recent times as he mentioned in the post-tournament interview linked above.

Carlsen - Rapport, Round 14

Position after 38....Ka8

Here 39.f3 shuts the long diagonal for the queen and then f8Q in the next move is a deadly threat which Black cannot stop and keep d5-pawn protected at the same time. Carlsen missed this as he did not realize that Black has no threat in this position. He only realized 39.f3 was there afterwards.

 
 
The most insane Magnus Carlsen game you will ever see | Carlsen vs Rapport | Video: ChessBase India

After an exhausting win against Rapport, Carlsen lost to his former World Championship Challenger, Ian Nepomniachtchi (2782). Well, Nepo ultimately got his bargain, albeit in a different format and stakes altogether.

 
 
Why was Magnus Carlsen extremely angry at the end of this game against Nepo? | Video: ChessBase India

The World Champion struck back immediately in the next game against World Rapid 2022 Silver medalist, GM Vincent Keymer (GER, 2600).

 

Caruana - Carlsen, Round 17

Position after 50...Rh8

49.g4 would have still kept the game going. 49.Ke3 allowed Carlsen to find the beautiful resource Rh8!

 

World Rapid 2022 Bronze medalist, Fabiano Caruana put up a very good fight against Magnus Carlsen | Photo: Amruta Mokal

16-year-old IM Madaminov Mukhiddin (UZB, 2333) was unable to keep his calm and make a draw in an equal same colored bishop endgame. This win helped Carlsen gain sole lead for the first time in this event 14/18.

 
 
The agony of losing to Magnus Carlsen - Carlsen vs Madaminov | Video: ChessBase India

The 16-year-old IM Madaminov will certainly look for way to redeem this loss against Carlsen in the years to come | Photo: Amruta Mokal

IM Madaminov had beaten GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov in Round 13 and eventually became the top IM finisher | Photo: Amruta Mokal

In Round 19, Carlsen lost to GM Alexey Sarana (2708). Having coffee before the game despite not being a coffee person, made him over excited and he suffered his second loss of the day. This one got over in just 24 moves. Sarana scored 9.5 points in his last ten games before he faced Carlsen. That is the what momentum does in sports.

 
 
The way in which Magnus Carlsen resigns this game is epic | Sarana vs Carlsen | Video: ChessBase India

Carlsen was paired against the former World Rapid champion, GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB, 2666) in the final round. After an epic battle in the World Rapid 2022, the world champion had one final test to pass. He was quite okay to draw the game and was ready for Playoff. However, Abdusattorov wanted more.

 
 
Magnus Carlsen's moment of pure happiness on becoming World Blitz 2022 after beating Abdusattorov | Video: ChessBase India

The moment of joy after beating Abdusattorov and realizing that he has become the World Blitz champion, triple crown winner for the third time | Photo: Amruta Mokal
 
"Of the three world titles this one is the dearest!" - Carlsen on winning World Blitz 2022 | Video: ChessBase India
 
The curious controversial case of shouting in between the game | Video: ChessBase India

Women: Bibisara retains her crown, Humpy wins Silver

IM Polina Shuvalova (2361) was leading for the better part of the tournament. The first-ever FIDE Women's World Cup winner, GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (2469) halted her momentum in Round 14.

 

It was Polina Shuvalova's tournament to lose, nevertheless she delivered a stellar performance to secure the Bronze medal | Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

She drew with IM Meri Arabidze (GEO, 2404) in Round 15. Polina was still leading by a half point 11.5/15. Bibisara 11/15 and Humpy 10.5/15 were close on her heels. In Round 16, Humpy struck Polina and dethroned her from the top of the leaderboard.

 

In the final round, Humpy beat GM Tan Zhongyi (CHN, 2510) to finish clear second. If Harika managed to hold IM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ, 2404) to a draw, Humpy would have faced the defending champion in Playoffs. Unfortunately Harika lost and Humpy had to settle for Silver.

Humpy - Tan, Round 17

Position after 17.Qc7

The mistake was not 16...cxd4 and overlooking 17.Qc7, it was 17...Bd5 which allowed 18.Rxd4 making deadly threats on the d-file pinned bishop and knight. Black had no choice but to go for 18...Rac8 19.Qxc8+ Rxc8 20.Rxc8+. A player of Humpy's caliber does not miss these great opportunities in crunch situation.

 

GM Koneru Humpy en route her win over GM Tan Zhongyi (CHN) in the final round to win the Silver | Photo: Amruta Mokal

Koneru Humpy personifies - Form is temporary, Class is Permanent | Photo: FIDE/Lennart Ootes

IM Bibisara Assaaubayeva registered her fifth consecutive victory to defend her World Blitz Women's title successfully | Photo: Amruta Mokal

World Blitz Women's champion 2022 - IM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) | Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

More game videos and interviews are coming soon, stay tuned.

Replay Blitz Open Round 13-21 games

Replay Blitz Women Round 10-17 games

Round 21 results Blitz Open

Bo. No.     Name FED Rtg Pts. Result Pts.   Name FED Rtg   No. PGN
1 3
 
 GM Carlsen Magnus *) NOR 2830 15 1 - 0 13 GM Abdusattorov Nodirbek UZB 2666
 
 25 PGN
2 9
 
 GM Duda Jan-Krzysztof POL 2773 14½ 0 - 1 13½ GM Sarana Alexey FID 2708
 
 18 PGN
3 1
 
 GM Nakamura Hikaru USA 2909 14½ ½ - ½ 12½ GM Harikrishna Pentala IND 2617
 
 46 PGN
4 13
 
 GM Martirosyan Haik M. ARM 2745 14 1 - 0 13 GM Caruana Fabiano USA 2847
 
 2 PGN
5 8
 
 GM Nepomniachtchi Ian FID 2782 13½ 0 - 1 13½ GM Dubov Daniil FID 2792
 
 6 PGN
6 31
 
 GM Rapport Richard ROU 2654 13 1 - 0 13½ GM Artemiev Vladislav FID 2803
 
 5 PGN
7 7
 
 GM Giri Anish NED 2792 13½ 1 - 0 12½ GM Esipenko Andrey FID 2620
 
 43 PGN
8 10
 
 GM Vachier-Lagrave Maxime FRA 2771 12½ 0 - 1 13 GM Fedoseev Vladimir FID 2733
 
 15 PGN
9 4
 
 GM Yu Yangyi CHN 2807 12½ 0 - 1 12½ GM Andreikin Dmitry FID 2735
 
 14 PGN
10 38
 
 GM Salem A.R. Saleh UAE 2633 12½ 1 - 0 12½ GM Grischuk Alexander FID 2763
 
 11 PGN
11 59
 
 GM Keymer Vincent GER 2600 12½ 1 - 0 12½ GM Shimanov Aleksandr FID 2605
 
 57 PGN
12 40
 
 GM Petrosian Tigran L. ARM 2632 12 ½ - ½ 12½ GM Lazavik Denis FID 2484
 
 116 PGN
13 111
 
 GM Vakhidov Jakhongir UZB 2507 12 1 - 0 12 GM Amin Bassem EGY 2713
 
 17 PGN
14 150
 
 IM Madaminov Mukhiddin UZB 2333 12 0 - 1 12 GM Nihal Sarin IND 2702
 
 19 PGN
15 21
 
 GM Matlakov Maxim FID 2674 12 ½ - ½ 12 GM Sargsyan Shant ARM 2602
 
 58 PGN

Details

Final standings Blitz Open

Rk. Name Pts.  TB1 
1 Carlsen Magnus 16 264
2 Nakamura Hikaru 15 272,5
3 Martirosyan Haik M. 15 258
4 Giri Anish 14,5 268
5 Duda Jan-Krzysztof 14,5 262,5
6 Dubov Daniil 14,5 258
7 Sarana Alexey 14,5 234,5
8 Fedoseev Vladimir 14 256,5
9 Rapport Richard 14 247
10 Artemiev Vladislav 13,5 260,5
11 Andreikin Dmitry 13,5 251,5
12 Nepomniachtchi Ian 13,5 250,5
13 Keymer Vincent 13,5 248,5
14 Salem A.R. Saleh 13,5 222
15 Caruana Fabiano 13 250,5
16 Lazavik Denis 13 248
17 Harikrishna Pentala 13 242
18 Nihal Sarin 13 239,5
19 Abdusattorov Nodirbek 13 235,5
20 Dardha Daniel 13 235,5

Details

Round 17 results Blitz Women

Bo. No.     Name FED Rtg Pts. Result Pts.   Name FED Rtg   No. PGN
1 4
 
 GM Koneru Humpy IND 2474 11½ 1 - 0 12 GM Tan Zhongyi CHN 2510
 
 2 PGN
2 10
 
 GM Harika Dronavalli IND 2407 10½ 0 - 1 12 IM Assaubayeva Bibisara KAZ 2404
 
 12 PGN
3 22
 
 IM Shuvalova Polina FID 2361 11½ ½ - ½ 10½ IM Badelka Olga FID 2337
 
 23 PGN
4 11
 
 IM Arabidze Meri GEO 2404 10½ 1 - 0 10½ GM Kosteniuk Alexandra FID 2469
 
 5 PGN
5 7
 
 GM Stefanova Antoaneta BUL 2427 10½ ½ - ½ 10½ GM Dzagnidze Nana GEO 2416
 
 8 PGN
6 3
 
 GM Goryachkina Aleksandra FID 2484 10 0 - 1 10 GM Lagno Kateryna FID 2522
 
 1 PGN
7 6
 
 IM Khademalsharieh Sarasadat IRI 2431 10 0 - 1 10 IM Mammadzada Gunay AZE 2383
 
 17 PGN
8 9
 
 GM Abdumalik Zhansaya KAZ 2413 10 1 - 0 10 GM Gunina Valentina FID 2368
 
 18 PGN
9 31
 
 IM Tania Sachdev IND 2309 10 0 - 1 10 GM Paehtz Elisabeth GER 2396
 
 14 PGN
10 21
 
 IM Zatonskih Anna USA 2362 9½ 1 - 0 9½ IM Nomin-Erdene Davaademberel MGL 2296
 
 38 PGN

Details

Final standings Blitz Women

Rk. Name Pts.  TB1 
1 Assaubayeva Bibisara 13 164,5
2 Koneru Humpy 12,5 148,5
3 Shuvalova Polina 12 171
4 Tan Zhongyi 12 169
5 Arabidze Meri 11,5 155,5
6 Lagno Kateryna 11 165,5
7 Dzagnidze Nana 11 163
8 Badelka Olga 11 161,5
9 Paehtz Elisabeth 11 158
10 Mammadzada Gunay 11 155,5
11 Stefanova Antoaneta 11 155
12 Abdumalik Zhansaya 11 138,5
13 Harika Dronavalli 10,5 173
14 Danielian Elina 10,5 171
15 Kosteniuk Alexandra 10,5 160,5

Details

Replay the Live Stream

 

FIDE World Blitz Round 13-21 Open and 10-17 Women - Live Commentary by GM Alexander Shabalov and WGM Keti Tsatsalashvili | Video: FIDE

Links

Official site

Tournament Regulations: Open and Women

Topics: Bibisara Assaubayeva, Magnus Carlsen, World Blitz 2022
Shahid Ahmed is the senior coordinator and editor of ChessBase India. He enjoys covering chess tournaments and also likes to play in chess events from time to time.