Nihal Sarin finishes 11th in World Blitz Championship

King Salman World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships-2018

The King Salman World Rapid and Blitz Championship was conducted in Saint Petersburg from December 25 to 31, 2018. The total prize fund was USD 1,150,000/-

The Open starting list was headed by Five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand (India), the reigning World Champion Magnus Carlsen (Norway), world strongest grandmasters Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Azerbaijan), Anish Giri (Netherlands), Levon Aronian (Armenia), Alexander Grischuk, Sergey Karjakin, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Peter Svidler (all from Russia), India’s no 2 Harikrishna Pentala and other top players.

In the women’s events, Koneru Humpy and Dronavalli Harika spearheaded India’s charge. Others included the reigning Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun (China), Anna and Mariya Muzychuk (both from Ukraine), Kateryna Lagno, Alexandra Kosteniuk, Aleksandra Goryachkina, Valentina Gunina, Olga Girya (all from Russia), Nana Dzagnidze (Georgia), Tan Zhongyi (China).

Rapid

The title in the Open Section went to Daniil Dubov (Russia), who collected 11 points in 15 games.  Half a point behind him was Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Azerbaijan), Hikaru Nakamura (USA), Vladislav Artemiev (Russia), and Magnus Carlsen (Norway). Superior tie-break score gave Mamedyarov the silver, and Nakamura got the bronze.

Defending Champion Viswanathan Anand scored 10.5 points and had to be content with the 21st place.

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In the women’s section Ju Wenjun, who had defended her Women’s World Champion’s two months ago in Khanty-Mansiysk, managed to defend her champion’s title in rapid chess as well. With 10 points in 12 games, the Chinese finished solely on top. Sarasadat Khademalsharieh’s (Iran) superior tie-break secured her second place, and Aleksandra Goryachkina (Russia) got the bronze. India’s Dronavalli Harika finished 14th with a score of 8.0/12 points.

Blitz

Magnus Carlsen (Norway) defended his title of the world’s strongest blitz player by dominating the championship with 17/21. Jan-Krzysztof Duda (Poland) finished second with 16.5 points. Hikaru Nakamura (USA) took third with 14.5 points.

India’s Nihal Sarin had a dream run. He started as the 139th seed; won 11 games, drew five and lost five thereby ending with 13.5 points. Nihal outwitted players like GMs Le Quam Liem (Vietnam), Gawain Jones (England), and Alexander Zubov (Ukraine).

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Kateryna Lagno (Russia) won the Women’s Section. She collected 13.5 points. Sarasadat Khademalsharieh (Iran) won the silver with 13 points. Lei Tingjie (China) got the bronze with 12.5 points. Dronavalli Harika finished 21st with 10.5/17 points.

Rapid: Open

Final Ranking after 15 Rounds

Rapid: Women

Final Ranking after 12 Rounds

Blitz Open

Final Ranking after 21 Rounds

Blitz: Women

Final Ranking after 17 Rounds