Magnus Carlsen, reigning World Chess Champion, stood on the throne of the Tata Steel Chess for the 6th time to break a record of keeping the most trophies of one of the most prestigious event in the international chess calendar.
Magnus Carlsen (NOR, 2834) and Anish Giri (NED, 2752) tied for the first place after 13 played rounds with score of 9 points each. The determination of the Winner came up to the tie break match which was played in two blitz games. Magnus Carlsen won the first game of the playoffs and gained the huge advantage and chances to win the tie break match. The second game ended in a peaceful manner- draw, which was enough to clarify the situation on the top, and crown Magnus Carlsen as the Winner of the Tata Steel Chess 2018.
Third place came to Vladimir Kramnik (RUS, 2787) thanks to the better additional criteria since he tied for the bronze with Mamedyarov Shakhriyar (AZE, 2804) who had the same score of 8.5/13.
The next year participant of the Tata Steel Chess Masters event, as the Winner of the Tata Steel Challengers is Indian Grand master Vidit Santosh Gujrathi (IND, 2704). Top seeded Vidit Santosh Gujrathi justified the starting position scoring 9 points out of 13 games, and finishing the event as sole first with the whole point ahead of the runner-ups.
The second place went to Korobov Anton (UKR, 2652) with 8 points, while Xiong Jeffery (USA, 2634) ended third thanks to the better tie breaks than others who achieved the same score of 7.5/13.
Tata Steel Challengers Standings
Kuipers Stefan (NED, 2444) won the Top Amateur tournament and reserved the seat for the Tata Steel Challengers 2019.
This year, the Tata Steel Chess, often called as “Wimbledon of Chess” celebrated its 80th anniversary and took place in coastal village of Wijk aan Zee, North Holland, with locations of the playing venues: Beeld en Geluid in Hilversum and the Academy building of the University of Groningen.
Tata Steel Chess 2018 attracted and gathered together thousands of chess lovers, top world Grandmasters, visitors, 1800 participants of the various tournaments of the Tata Steel events with a unique opportunity for the amateurs and the youngest to play chess in a same venue as their chess idols.
Photo credits: Tata Steel Chess