Magnus Carlsen well set to become World Rapid Champion 2022

Let's start today's article with two incidents which could hardly happen at any other world class event except the World Rapid and Blitz! That's because the time to make your moves in rapid and blitz is quite low and that could lead to controversial situations. But quite often when players of two countries play each other, they do not know each other's language and there is no common language! This can make things quite complicated and the arbiters task is quite an important one.

The curious case of Ghaem Maghami and Khusenkhojaev

The game of Ghaem Maghami and Khusenkhojaev reached the infamous Rook + Bishop for Ghaem Maghami (White) vs lone rook for Khuenkhojaev (Black)

The players surpassed the 50-move mark and Khusenkhojaev who was defending the position didn't claim for a draw. Now the next rule that comes into effect is when 75 moves have been made. When the 75th move is done, the arbiters have to declare it a draw. This would have happened, but on move 73 after the last capture, Khusenkhojaev claimed a three-fold repetition. His claim was wrong, Ghaem Maghami was given 2 minutes on the clock and the game continued. Because the clock was paused, somehow the live broadcast of the game stopped. Hence. the moves were not updating on the live games software. To make things even more interesting, Khusenkhojaev blundered and resigned on the 76th move after the last capture!

Deputy Chief Arbiter Ana Srebrnic was on the ball, very alert of all the rules

The kings were placed on the board in a way that showed white won and the result was digitally updated. As the entire hall with close to 300 players were waiting for this game to end since quite some time the pairings were instantly made. However, the deputy chief arbiter Ana Srebrnic had the 75-move rule in her mind. She consulted with the chief arbiter Amir Erfan Hashemi and told him about this rule and how the broadcast had stopped on 73rd move after the capture. On closer inspection it was found that 75 moves had been completed and the arbiters have to give the result as a draw. However, the pairings were already out and this could not be changed. In order to ensure that Khusenkhojaev got the half point, the result was changed for the next round. Ghaem Maghami wasn't particularly thrilled by the fact that he had to play an opponent with half point more when his score was going to be reduced.

The chief arbiter talking to Ghaem Maghami, who was not too pleased with the outcome

The entire incident with a final statement by the chief arbiter

The weird situation between Kovalev and Uskov

This is one of the weirdest cases that you would come across in a chess tournament.

White has just played his rook on d8. Uskov (Black) took the rook and somehow placed his own rook on e8! 

This is an illegal move. So the arbiters were called. To make things more interesting Uskov was left with only 1 second the clock. So the position was reset to the one above and he was asked to make his move. But with just 1 second left on the clock, he was bound to lose on time! What a curious case! You need to check the video below to understand how things rolled out.

The most weird case that you will see in a chess tournament

Magnus Carlsen in sole lead

The World Rapid and Blitz Championships is all about pacing yourself well. These are long winding events and dropping points is going to be inevitable. But the best chances are reserved for the player who is ready to draw their games, instead of losing and taking their chances when opportunity presents itself! This is exactly what Magnus Carlsen did on day 2 of the World Rapid Championships 2022.

Magnus first started off with a win over Jorden van Foreest

This win helped Magnus to get to 5.5/6. However, Fedoseev was not losing any steam. He beat the Indian talent Arjun Erigaisi with white pieces to keep pace with Magnus.

This setup a nice clash between Fedoseev and Magnus Carlsen in round 7

The game ended in a solid draw after both sides made no real errors. Now both Carlsen and Fedoseev were on 6.0/7.

But Magnus and Fedoseev were not alone! Reigning World Rapid Champion Nodirbek Abdusattorov beat Ian Nepomniachtchi and also reached 6.0/7 to join the leaders. It was quite unfortunate for Nepo as in a completely better position, he got his piece trapped.

Things didn't go Ian Nepomniachtchi's way! He ended day 2 with 6.0/9

Nodirbek Abdusattorov is someone you just cannot write off. After beating Duda in round 6 and Nepo in round 7, he had two draws and is now on 7.0/9

White is completely better, but his last move turned into a huge blunder. Abdusattorov played his rook to a8 and the bishop is trapped as after Bb6, there is Rxb6 and the rook swoops into a1, picking up the guy on g1.

In round 7 Magnus Carlsen was up against yet another team member, this time Daniil Dubov!

Daniil gave his opponent absolutely no chances and the game ended in a draw!

With each draw, the number of players catching up with Carlsen were growing. Abdusattorov also drew his game, but Vincent Keymer managed to beat Arjun Erigaisi and join the leaders at 6.5/8. Now there were four - Carlsen, Fedoseev, Abdusattorov and Keymer.

Vincent Keymer beat Arjun Erigaisi in a game where it was quite difficult to pinpoint where exactly did Arjun make a mistake!

Keymer had an amazing day at the office. He not only beat Arjun, but also got the better of Fabiano Caruana and Yu Yangyi as well.

In order to reach Magnus, Daniil Dubov played a brilliant game to down Nihal Sarin in just 18 moves! The finish of the game was very pretty with a queen sacrifice.

Find the move in the game video below:

Daniil Dubov's miniature victory over Nihal Sarin

In the final round of the day, Magnus Carlsen got a slightly favourable pairing. He was up against the Georgian GM Giga Quparadze. Magnus had the black pieces and was completely determined to win. You could literally sense his willpower coming forth in the game. Winning such a game is extremely important if you want to win the tournament.

Magnus Carlsen played a wonderful game to score the full point and snatch the sole lead in the tournament

IM Sagar Shah explains some of Magnus' decisions in the game and also shows a point where the World Champion could have improved.

With all other leaders drawing their games, Magnus Carlsen has assumed sole lead at the World Rapid Championships 2022. He was in a similar situation in 2021 as well going into day 3 and was stopped by Nodirbek Abdusattorov. This time he faces Vincent Keymer and needs to be careful.

The game between Vladimir Fedoseev and Vincent Keymer ended in a draw

Standings after round 9

Arjun Erigaisi lost two games (Fedoseev and Keymer) but won two games against world class opponents (MVL and Giri). The boy is very resilient.

A lot of people gathered around the game of Arjun vs MVL! It's one of the joys for players at World Rapid and Blitz Championships. After their games are over, they generally stay back and watch the games of other players

Arjun Erigaisi vs MVL, Round 9

Hans Niemann managed to score a big win beating Richard Rapport in round 7, but then lost his game to yu Yangyi in round 9. He is on 5.5/9

Women's section

The battle for the top spot in the women's section is wide open. After 8 rounds there three leaders - GM Aleksandra Goryachkina, GM Tan Zhongyi and the surprise of day 2, WIM Savitha Shri.

Three leaders in the women's section are Tan Zhongyi, Goryachkina and Savitha Shri

Goryachkina got the better of Danielian in the final round of the day to lead the event with 6.5/8.

Tan Zhongyi has reached the lead by beating Alina Bivol

Savitha Shri talks about her games that helped her to beat strong players like Stefanova, Khademalsharieh and Khotenashvili

Rankings after round 8