The Groups Have Been Drawn!
During the technical meeting, the players and the arbiters discussed the tournament's main rules and format. One of the key and most interesting moments was the draw for the group stage.
The four highest-rated players were each assigned to a different group, ensuring that every group features one of the tournament's top seeds. The remaining players were then allocated to the groups through a draw.
We are now delighted to reveal the four groups with the parting for round 1, starting tomorrow:
Credit: Total Chess
With the groups decided, we also know the match-ups for the group stage. Players in each group will face one another twice in a double round-robin format. After five days of group-stage action, the tournament will move on to the knockout stage.
The outstanding opening ceremony
What an opening ceremony it was! The tournament was officially inaugurated in the presence of several distinguished guests, including Timur Turlov, President of the International Chess Federation. In his speech, he shared some encouraging words with the players and expressed his gratitude to the organisers for bringing the event to life.
We also heard from Kjell Madland, founder of Norway Chess and the driving force behind the Total Chess concept. He welcomed the players and wished them the very best of luck ahead of the competition.
Credit: Total Chess / Maria Emelianova
The ceremony also featured a wonderful artistic performance. Opera superstar Ildikó Megyimórecz delighted the guests with a magnificent vocal performance, adding a special touch to the occasion.
Credit: Total Chess / Tor Nilssen
Moreover, all the players were introduced to the audience, and the group line-ups were officially revealed.
Credit: Total Chess / Michal Walusza
Blitzing Warm-Up
Before the fast classic battles begin, the players had a chance to warm up in the Swiss blitz tournament, which will also serve as a tiebreak if needed.
There were queen sacrifices, checkmates on the board, and tons of emotions! The standings remained tight throughout the tournament, but there could only be one winner: Magnus Carlsen, who finished on an impressive 7/9.
Credit: Total Chess / Michal Walusza
Carlsen got off to a perfect start, scoring 2/2 in the opening rounds, and maintained his unbeaten run until the end. What a statement ahead of the main event! But will he be able to maintain this winning form?
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave claimed second place with 6.5 points, while Levon Aronian completed the podium with 6/9.
The blitz is over, but the battle is just beginning!
We have already witnessed queen sacrifices, checkmates, and plenty of emotions. But there is no time to slow down!
Tomorrow, the players will face a completely new challenge as they take on each other in the first matches of fast classic. Who will adapt to the new format best? Will we witness any convincing 2–0 victories, or will the matches go down to the wire?
We'll find out tomorrow!
