The Norwegian Magnus Carlsen defeated the Uzbek Nodirbek Abdusattórov on Friday in the twenty-first round to secure the title in the World Cup in blitz (rapid) chess.played in Almaty, a couple of days after winning the scepter in the rapid games contest.
In a Spanish opening, in which he came out with a time advantage, Carlsen arrived well positioned at the middle game; he lost a few seconds, but in exchange, he gained a piece of advantage, which allowed him to secure the victory and reach 16 points, to win in front of the American Hikaru Nakamura and the Armenian Haik Martirosyan, both with 15 units.
World champion of classic games, the Norwegian confirmed himself as the best chess player in the world, after winning the rapid competition and this Friday being the best in blitzdespite suffering defeats to the Russians Ian Nepomniachtchi, in the fifteenth round, and Alexey Sarana, in the nineteenth.
Magnus made five points in his last six appearances, in a show of sangfroid, when he was at risk of being ruled out of the title fight.
In the women’s competition, the 18-year-old Kazakh international master, Bibisara Assaubayeva, confirmed herself as one of chess’ great talents by winning the title with a victory in the last round over India’s Harika Dronavalli.
Assaubayeva retained the title with a perfect finish, winning all five of her final games, becoming the third player to successfully defend the world title.
The champion added thirteen units and was followed by the Indian Humpy Koneru (12.5) and the Russian Polina Shuvalova (12).
The outstanding note of the women’s competition was carried out by the Iranians Sarasadat Khademalsharieh and Atousa Porkashiya, who played without hijabsin a show of rebellion praised by numerous figures in the world of chess.