Croatia:
Magnus Carlsen emerged as the winner of the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia, adding another title to his already impressive Grand Chess Tour collection. Notably, the World No. 1 has now won 10 out of the 12 Rapid and Blitz GCT events he has participated in.
Held in Zagreb, Croatia, from June 30 to July 6, the tournament followed the same format as the Superbet Rapid & Blitz Poland and featured seven full-tour players along with three wildcards: Magnus Carlsen, Anish Giri, and local GM Ivan Šarić.
Carlsen was only third after the rapid portion (10/18), but true to himself, he picked up steam in the blitz and clinched the title with a round to spare, scoring 22.5/36 overall.
Runner-up Wesley So followed a similar script, though to an even greater extent. After finishing the rapid in eighth place (8/18), he delivered an excellent performance in blitz, scoring 12/18 and securing second place overall with 20/36.
World Champion Gukesh D won the rapid segment with an impressive 14/18 but struggled in the blitz, ultimately finishing at the bottom. Nevertheless, it was enough for him to complete the podium, ending just half a point behind So.
The Grand Chess Tour continues with the Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz in Saint Louis, USA, from August 9–16.
Message of Appreciation:
From Adv. Nandan Kumar Jha, President, International Mind Sports Association (IMSA)
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Magnus Carlsen and Grandmaster D. Gukesh for their outstanding performances at the GCT SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia.
Magnus Carlsen once again displayed his legendary brilliance and competitive spirit that continue to set the global benchmark in chess. His creativity, resilience, and intuitive play reaffirm why he remains one of the greatest minds in the sport.
I would also like to express my deep admiration for Gukesh, whose composed and fearless gameplay stood out against the strongest of opponents. His rise in world chess continues to inspire millions of young players, particularly in India, and his contribution to this prestigious tournament has been commendable.
The International Mind Sports Association celebrates both champions for upholding the spirit of excellence, sportsmanship, and strategic genius. We look forward to witnessing even more remarkable feats from both of you in the future.