India’s chess campaign at the FIDE World Rapid Championships concluded on a high note with Koneru Humpy and Arjun Erigaisi securing bronze medals in the women’s and open categories, respectively, in Doha on Sunday.
Koneru Humpy, a two-time World Rapid champion (2019, 2024), narrowly missed out on a historic third title. She finished tied for the top spot with China’s Zhu Jiner and Russia’s Aleksandra Goryachkina at 8.5 points after 11 rounds but fell short due to FIDE’s tie-break rules-Buchholz Cut 1, Buchholz, and Average Rapid Rating of Opponents. Humpy’s scores were 69, 74, and 2335, compared to Zhu’s 72.5, 77.5, 2410 and Goryachkina’s 71.5, 77, 2360.
In the decisive 11th round, Humpy drew against compatriot B Savitha Shri, who gave a spirited performance. Had Humpy won, she would have finished on nine points, setting a record as the first woman to clinch a third world rapid title. Savitha finished fourth with eight points, while R. Vaishali came fifth. Women’s World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh scored 7.5, and D. Harika 7.
Also read: FIDE World Rapid: Humpy holds top spot, Gukesh, Erigaisi close in
In the Open section, world No.1 Magnus Carlsen claimed his sixth World Rapid title, finishing with 10.5 points. Russian GM Vladislav Artemiev was second with 9.5, while Arjun Erigaisi leapfrogged to secure bronze, defeating Aleksandr Shimanov and edging out American Hans Niemann and Cuban-American Leinier Domínguez, also on 9.5 points. India’s D. Gukesh, Nihal Sarin, and R. Praggnanandhaa finished with 8.5 points each.
The World Blitz Championships will commence on Monday, with Carlsen as the favourite to extend his dominance.
Results:
Open: 1. Magnus Carlsen (NOR) 10.5, 2. Vladislav Artemiev 9.5, 3. Arjun Erigaisi 9.5
Women: 1. Aleksandra Goryachkina 8.5, 2. Zhu Jiner 8.5, 3. Koneru Humpy 8.5
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