source: chess.com
Magnus Carlsen won the 2025 SuperUnited Croatia Rapid & Blitz, topping the event by an impressive 2.5-point margin.
source: chess.com
This marks his 10th victory out of 12 Grand Chess Tour rapid & blitz events. This is also his sixth consecutive title in this year following victories at Chessable Masters, Paris Freestyle, Grenke Freestyle, Chess.com Classic, and Norway Chess.
The early days saw teenage world champion Gukesh Dommaraju in the lead, winning five rapid games in a row including consecutive victories over Carlsen. Gukesh ended the rapid with a score of 14/18, a three-point lead from the closest pursuer. Carlsen, meanwhile was chasing the pack with a modest score of 10/18.
On day 4 of blitz, Carlsen rallied with a 7.5/9 blitz score, while Gukesh slowed down with a measly 1.5/9. This surge put Carlsen into the lead.
Wesley So in Clear 2nd Place
Our countryman, Wesley So, was in clear second place after a wild game against American World No. 3, Fabiano Caruana.
Wesley's best game was against Gukesh where he sacrificed a Knight on g7 for a crushing attack against Gukesh's King.
https://lichess.org/ztDQRu8i#57
Wesley's wild game. Caruana made the last blunder with 48. a7??
Afterwhich Wesley simply captured White's rook with 48. ...Qxa1. 49. a1=Q loses to 49. ...Nf2+ 50. Qxf2 Qxa1+ 51. Qg2 Qxg2 checkmate!
https://lichess.org/broadcast/gct-2025-superunited-rapid--blitz-croatia/blitz-18/5EuE6SCO/V4NNZ4bt
What's Next?
The tour moves to the Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz in August, followed by the Sinquefield Cup (classical) and will end in the Tour Finals in São Paulo at the end of September.
