D Gukesh, the reigning world champion, finished sixth in the Super Rapid and Blitz tournament, part of the Grand Chess Tour, while Hans Moke Niemann held his composure in the closing rounds to secure the title.
Gukesh concluded the event with 17 points from a possible 36 across nine rapid and 18 blitz rounds. Since rapid victories carried two points and blitz wins one point, the Indian earned nine points in rapid and eight in blitz.
The result could have been less favourable, but Gukesh signed off on a positive note by defeating Jan-Krzysztof Duda in the final round, helping him finish in the middle of the standings.
Notably, Gukesh had opted out of the main Grand Chess Tour events this season and chose to participate only in the rapid and blitz competitions. The youngest-ever world champion is also scheduled to face Javokhir Sindarov later this year and will compete in the Norway Chess tournament.
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On the last day, Gukesh registered victories over Wesley So, Niemann, and Duda. However, one of his key defeats came against Sindarov, who edged the head-to-head battle against the Indian 2-1 across their three encounters in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Niemann displayed remarkable composure under pressure, winning his final two games to finish with 22.5 points, enough to capture the title and the top prize of USD 50,000. In the last round, he overcame Radoslaw Wojtaszek.
Fabiano Caruana claimed second place with 22 points, while Wesley So finished third on 21. Vladimir Fedoseev secured fourth place with 18 points, followed by Alireza Firouzja in fifth on 17.5, just ahead of Gukesh.
The Grand Chess Tour now shifts to Bucharest, Romania, for the Super Classic event, where R Praggnanandhaa will be the lone Indian participant.
Final standings: 1. Hans Moke Niemann (USA) – 22.5; 2. Fabiano Caruana (USA) – 22; 3. Wesley So (USA) – 21; 4. Vladimir Fedoseev (Slovenia) – 18; 5. Alireza Firouzja (France) – 17.5; 6. D Gukesh (India) – 17; 7-9. Jan-Krzysztof Duda (Poland), Javokhir Sindarov (Uzbekistan), and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave – 16.5 each; 10. Radoslaw Wojtaszek (Poland) – 12.5.
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