‘Satisfied’ Karjakin claims Blitz world title

Russia’s Sergey Karjakin finished the year on a “satisfied” note by clinching the Fide World Blitz Championship title yesterday.
In the women’s section, consistent Ukrainian Anna Muzychuk completed a golden double by defending her blitz title she won in 2014 in Russia, a day after winning the rapid title.
“I am satisfied with the victory as it came after a disappointment in USA. I am happy to go home with the world title,” the 26-year-old grandmaster said.
Exactly two months after his narrow loss to Magnus Carslen in the classical World Chess Championship, the Russian gave the Norwegian a test of his own medicine by claiming the title under his nose at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena.
The Karjakin-Carlsen tussle in Doha was as close as the one in New York last November. The Russian scored 16.5 points from 21 rounds of the fast and furious form of the game, and so did the Norwegian. But the first place went to Karjakin on tie-break.
Carlsen and Karjakin dominated the blitz event from the very beginning.
After Day 1, they shared the lead with 10.0/12 and they continued to lead throughout Day 2. However, before the last round Carlsen led with 16.0/20, while Karjakin was half a point behind.
In the last round, Carlsen was to play Peter Leko with black, while Karjakin had white against Baadur Jobava.
After failing to create any serious winning chances against Leko, Carlsen finally settled for a perpetual and a draw, while Karjakin grabbed his opportunity, defeating Jobava.
In the tie-break, the Elo-average of the opponents came into play. Karjakin’s opponents had a better average and that clinched the title for Karjakin.
“Ahead of this championship, I thought I only wanted to play chess here and take a rest from all the attention. I didn’t set any big goals for championship,” Karjakin said.
Talking about his victory route, he said, “After an okay performance in the rapid event I tried harder in the blitz. I realised that my play in rapid was not upto the mark. I was bit upset with that.
“So, on day one (of the blitz) I managed to beat Carlsen, which was a beautiful continuation of our story in New York. And after beating the Norwegian, I realised I really could claim the champion’s title.”
Russian grandmaster Daniil Dubov, 20, was in a three-way tie for bronze with Hikaru Nakamura and defending champion and compatriot Alexander Grischuk at 14.5 points.
India’s Viswanathan Anand finished 10th overall with 13 points, after recording three wins in the last four rounds – the lone defeat coming against his old nemesis Carlsen in the 20th and penultimate round.
In the women’s section Muzychuk emerged as the clear winner in the 34-player field. Muzychuk finished with 13 points from a possible 17. Russia’s Valentina Gunina came second, while Russia’s Kateryna Lagno secured the third place. India’s Dronavalli Harika finished fifth overall after a tie with Daris Charochkina of Russia on 10.5 points in the 17-round competition.
“It was a fantastic victory. I can’t believe yet that I have won two back to back championships,” Muzychuk told Gulf Times.
“I am happy with the golden double. It was a top field but after winning the rapid it gave me the confidence to go for another title and I played consistently in the blitz also. It is nice to end the year on a winning note,” said the Ukrainian.
The total prize money for the Open tournament was $400,000 with the winner taking home $40,000 for each championship. Total prize money for the women’s championship was $80,000 with the winner taking home $20,000 for winning both the championships.
STANDINGS
BLITZ: Open: 1-2. Sergey Karjakin (Rus) and Magnus Carlsen (Nor), 16.5/21; 3-5. Daniil Dubov (Rus), Hikaru Nakamura (USA) and Alexander Grischuk (Rus) 14.5; Women: 1. Anna Muzychuk (Ukr) 13/17; 2-3. Kateryna Lagno (Rus) and Gunina Valentina (Rus) 12.5; 4. Tan Zhongyi (Chn) 11; 5-6. Dronavalli Harika (Ind) and Daria Charochkina (Rus) 10.5.
RAPID: Open: 1-3. Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukr), Alexander Grischuk (Rus) and Magnus Carlsen (Nor) 11/15; Women: 1. Anna Muzychuk (Ukr) 9.5/12; 2. Alexander Kosteniuk (Rus) 8.5; 3. Nana Dzanigdze (Geo) 8