.jpeg)
Winning starts with what you know
The new version 18 offers completely new possibilities for chess training and analysis: playing style analysis, search for strategic themes, access to 6 billion Lichess games, player preparation by matching Lichess games, download Chess.com games with built-in API, built-in cloud engine and much more.
There was no stopping Fabiano Caruana at the third event in this year’s Grand Chess Tour, the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Tournament in Croatia. The world’s number 3 only drew 7 of the 27 games he played throughout the five days of action in Zagreb, scoring 16 wins and 4 losses for an overall 27/36 score (wins are worth 2 points in the rapid section).
Going into the second half of the blitz — i.e. the final 9 rounds set to take place on Sunday — Caruana had a whopping 4½-point lead over his closest chasers, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Wesley So. An impressive start with 3½ points in the first four rounds of the day secured Caruana overall victory with five rounds to spare. In his final five games, Caruana grabbed 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses, as three of his colleagues fought fiercely for second place.
Caruana’s 27/36 score tied the best-ever performance seen previously in a Rapid & Blitz event of the Grand Chess Tour. Not surprisingly, it was Magnus Carlsen who held the record, as he had also collected 27 points at the 2019 Tata Steel Chess India event in Kolkata. Tarjei J. Svensen has been keepin score.
Navigating the Ruy Lopez Vol.1-3
The Ruy Lopez is one of the oldest openings which continues to enjoy high popularity from club level to the absolute world top. In this video series, American super GM Fabiano Caruana, talking to IM Oliver Reeh, presents a complete repertoire for White.
Top #GrandChessTour R&B scores:
— Tarjei J. Svensen (@TarjeiJS) July 14, 2024
2024 Zagreb: 27.0 (Caruana)
2019 Kolkata: 27,0 (Carlsen)
2019 Abidjan: 26,5 (Carlsen)
2023 Zagreb: 26 (Carlsen)
2022 St Louis: 26 (Firouzja)
2024 Warsaw 26 (Carlsen)
2016 Paris: 25,5 (Nakamura)
2017 Leuven: 25,5 (Carlsen)
2021 Paris: 24,5 (So)
| Player | Rapid | Blitz | Total | Tour Points | Prize money | |
| 1 | Fabiano Caruana (USA) | 15 | 12 | 27 | 13 | $40,000 |
| 2 | Wesley So (USA) | 12 | 11 | 23 | 8.33 | $25,000 |
| 3 | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA) | 10 | 13 | 23 | 8.33 | $25,000 |
| 4 | Alireza Firouzja (FRA) | 10 | 13 | 23 | 8.33 | $25,000 |
| 5 | Ian Nepomniachtchi (FIDE) | 10 | 8.5 | 18.5 | 6 | $15,000 |
| 6 | Levon Aronian (USA) | 11 | 6 | 17 | WC (5) | $11,000 |
| 7 | Gukesh D (IND) | 9 | 5 | 14 | 4 | $10,000 |
| 8 | Anish Giri (NED) | 6 | 7½ | 13½ | 3 | $9,000 |
| 9 | Vidit Gujrathi (IND) | 4 | 7 | 11 | WC (2) | $8,000 |
| 10 | Ivan Šarić (CRO) | 3 | 7 | 10 | WC (1) | $7,000 |
WC = Wildcard
Known for his theoretical knowledge and remarkable calculation abilities, Caruana has always been regarded as mainly a strong classical player, as he has at times shown inconsistent results in quick-play formats. This changed in the last few years, though, as he is now ranked second in the world in the rapid live ranking and sixth in the world in the blitz live ranking.
Besides grabbing the US$ 40,000 prize for first place, Caruana became the leader in the GCT standings. The man from Miami comes from winning the Superbet Classic in Bucharest, and is the tour’s defending champion.
Master Class Vol.17 - Boris Spassky
In this video course, experts including Dorian Rogozenco, Mihail Marin, Karsten Müller and Oliver Reeh, examine the games of Boris Spassky. Let them show you which openings Spassky chose to play, where his strength in middlegames were and much more.
All the participants received jerseys of the Croatian football team — all with number 10, which was famously worn by living legend Luka Modric | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Fabiano Caruana signing autographs for his many fans | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Also a fan favourite — Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | Photo: Lennart Ootes
With Caruana securing overall victory so early in the day, all eyes turned to the fight for second place, which saw three players getting a clear edge over the rest of the field while, of course, being unable to catch the runaway leader.
Suitably, the three contenders ended up tied for second place with 23 points each. Wesley So and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, who entered the final day of action as Caruana’s closest chasers, were also sharing second place prior to the tournament’s final round. Alireza Firouzja, also mimicking the standings after day 4, stood at a half-point distance.
While MVL and So both drew with black in the final round, Firouzja caught up with them by beating Ivan Saric, also with black.
Firouzja, who like Caruana played in Bucharest and Zagreb but not in Warsaw, stands in sole second place in the Grand Chess Tour standings. The series will be decided next month, with the Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz and the Sinquefield Cup set to take place back to back from 10 August until 31 August.
Middlegame Secrets Vol.5 - The Inner Strength of Kings
In this video course, kings will play a role of strong and active pieces. We will explore how Kings can be helpful in defence and prophylaxis, or even in attack!
Alireza Firouzja | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Top Choice Repertoire: Play the French Defence Vol.1 & 2
In this two-volume video course former world-champion and startrainer Rustam Kasimdzhanov shows you the ins and outs of this hugely complex opening.
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave sharing a laugh with long-time colleague and elite rival Ian Nepomniachtchi | Photo: Lennart Ootes
