Chess stars come to New York for the strongest chess tournament in U.S. history

Most of the world’s top players – including world number one Magnus Carlsen – have confirmed their participation in the World Rapid & Blitz Championship. With a spectacular line-up, a prize fund of nearly $1.5 million, and the electrifying rapid format, this promises to be the most thrilling chess event of the year.

One of the most popular and most prestigious chess tournaments held by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the World Rapid & Blitz will see many of the best players on the planet fight for the world crowns in two popular speed chess formats – Rapid and Blitz.

Coming to the U.S. for the first time ever, the event will take place in the heart of Wall Street from December 26 to 31, setting the backdrop for a spectacular showdown in New York. This year’s event introduces a thrilling twist: a knockout stage in the later rounds, making it even more challenging for the players. This new format raises the stakes, ensuring dramatic finishes and keeping players and fans on edge until the final move.

Altogether, some 300 players are expected to turn up in New York, with many of the biggest names in chess already confirming their participation, making this event the strongest tournament ever played in the U.S.

With its scale and caliber, this tournament is expected to draw significant attention. Fans wishing to experience the event in person, can now purchase tickets, available at https://tickets.fide.com/

Magnus Carlsen leads a star-studded line-up

The list of participants is led by Magnus Carlsen, the world’s top-rated player and reigning World Champion in both the Rapid and the Blitz. Carlsen, who has won five Rapid and six Blitz World Championships, will be coming to the Big Apple seeking to set a new world record.

Photo: Anastasia Korolkova

Joining the lineup is Ian Nepomniachtchi, a two-time World Championship challenger, and two-time World Rapid Championship runner-up, currently ranked eighth in the world. Despite his near misses at the classical crown, Nepomniachtchi remains one of the most dangerous players in rapid and blitz formats.

Also looking to make history is 21-year-old Alireza Firouzja. The youngest player ever to break the 2800 ELO barrier, Firouzja was tipped by Carlsen as his most likely successor. In New York, the Iranian-born Frenchman seek to fulfil that promise. Additionally, 2021 World Blitz Champion Maxime Vachier-Lagrave will be representing France and aiming to regain the crown he won in Warsaw three years ago.

The U.S. brings out its best

World number two Fabiano Caruana headlines the list of home players. The former world championship challenger recently claimed his fourth (!) U.S. championship title, bringing him one step closer to the legendary Bobby Fischer’s record of eight wins.

Another U.S. heavyweight, Wesley So, has confirmed he will be competing. A key member of the U.S. national team and widely respected as a blitz player, So is among the favorites to perform well in both the Rapid and Blitz events.

Joining them will be Levon Aronian, one of the most experienced players, known for his creativity and charisma, his fellow team-member Leinier Dominguez Perez and Samuel Sevian – a chess prodigy from New York who won the 2017 American Continental Chess Championship.

The world’s strongest women players coming to New York

In addition to the Open competitions, there will be separate events for women players. The Women’s World Rapid & Blitz will bring together World Champions, top contenders, and some of the brightest emerging talents in women’s chess.

Among the stars competing are former world champions Alexandra Kosteniuk (Switzerland), also known as „The Chess Queen,“ and Mariya Muzychuk from Ukraine. Former challengers China’s Lei Tingjie and India’s Humpy Koneru have also confirmed their participation.

Other elite women players coming to New York include three-time Women’s World Blitz Champion Kateryna Lagno, two-time Women’s World Blitz Champion Anna Muzychuk, Harika Dronavalli, Vaishali R and Zhu Jiner.

A global chess stage

Players will be coming from every continent, representing countries all around the world.

India, currently holding the World Olympic crown in both the open and women’s categories, is also expected to make a strong showing with several of their top players coming to New York, including world number four Arjun Erigaisi as well as the formidable Praggnanandhaa R.

Many other top players have confirmed participation, including China’s Yu Yangyi, Wei Yi, and Bu Xiangzhi, as well as Poland’s Jan-Krzysztof Duda and Anish Giri from the Netherlands.

“There is still some time to go before the event, but we are excited that many of the world’s best players have already confirmed they will be coming”, said Emil Sutovsky, CEO of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

“We are preparing a grand chess spectacle at the highest level for the audience. Whether you’re watching in person or online, the action promises to be thrilling from start to finish”.

With more top players expected to join in the coming weeks and special events planned for visitors, the 2024 World Rapid & Blitz Championship in New York is set to feature one of the strongest lineups in the event’s history.

For the first time ever, there will be a free day between the events, which will be used to host a Conference on Chess and Finance, bringing together chess legends and financial leaders to explore the fascinating intersections between the two worlds.

About the event

For more information about the event, including tickets, visit the official website: worldrapidandblitz.fide.com/.