Magnus Carlsen To Face Hans Niemann In High-Stakes 4-Game Blitz Knockout
In a thrilling development to the ongoing FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship, the top eight players from the tournament have qualified for the knockout stage, with reigning blitz world champion Magnus Carlsen set to face American grandmaster Hans Moke Niemann in the main event.
The six strongmen who failed to qualify directly into the knockout match were relegated to a 4-game blindfold blitz showdown against each other. This will give a better understanding of their mental and tactical skills over a short time control, which could have an impact on the final outcome.
Carlsen, seven-time and reigning Blitz World Champion from Norway, secured the top spot in the open qualification round with an impressive display of chess prowess. He was followed closely by Russian number-one GM Ian Nepomniachtchi, four-time and reigning U.S. Champion Fabiano Caruana, GM Wesley So, French number-one Alireza Firouzja, Hungarian number-one Jan-Krzysztof Duda, and Rapid World Champion Volodar Murzin, among others.
On the other side of the bracket, American Niemann emerged victorious in his match against Armenian grandmaster Levon Aronian.
The competition for women's world chess championship has also moved towards its final stage. Vaishali Rameshbabu has secured the top spot in the Women's Blitz world ranking with a perfect score, but now stands at 1st place as she progresses the Knockout round against Lei Tigjie, Kateryna Lagno and others.
According to their Swiss rankings, only 5 players have secured qualification spots into the next round, while other qualified for an additional game in their respective Knockout stage. However there are only three more games left, which includes a final game featuring the remaining strong contenders such as Ju Wenjun, Carissa Yip and Bibisara Assaubayeva.
Here is overview of open bracket -
Open Knockout Bracket
Women's Knockout Bracket will be uploaded shortly.
Tournament Overview: The 2024 World FIDE Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships see top players competing in a battle for supremacy. The grand prize fund of $1.5 million stands waiting, with a total sum being distributed over rapid and blitz matchups.
Championship Schedule:
- Rapid round: December 29
- High-pressure, time pressure games: December 30.
- Knockout finals Day: December 31