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World Blitz Chess Championship Day 1: Aronian and Assaubayeva Lead

The main story of the day was the rise of the underdog as many of the pre-tournament favorites suffered defeats and were unable to break into the top of the pack.

Read the full day-one report: https://www.chess.com/news/view/2021-world-blitz-chess-championship-day-1

"A wide-open race in the World Blitz as Carlsen suffers three defeats"
➡️ https://worldrapidandblitz.fide.com/a-wide-open-race-in-the-world-blitz-as-carlsen-suffers-three-defeats/

📷: Rafal Oleksiewicz

Interview with Monica Socko | FIDE World Blitz Championship |

Monica Socko: "I was almost crying when he won. Even if I had 9/9 today, I would prefer to have zero in exchange for my husband beating the world champion!"

STALEMATE! Vaishali - so sharp, so alert! | World Blitz 2021

Never say Never! | Bassem Amin vs MVL | World Blitz 2021

The reason why Arjun Erigaisi is so good | Arjun vs Hans Niemann | World Blitz 2021

Koneru Humpy vs Aleksandra Goryachkina | World Women's Blitz 2021 Round 9

Unfortunately, a couple of COVID tests made this morning prior to the departures have came out as positive. The players have been forced to withdraw from the tournament, and their opponents have been contacted so they can go through additional checkups.

🔗 FIDE

🔗 Hikaru Nakamura (@GMHikaru):
Wasn't feeling well before the Rapid, told FIDE , got tested - was neg and I played. Needed to take a test today to fly tomorrow - it's positive. I cannot finish the tournament and now am worried for all my opponents. Will be seeing you on stream doing commentary, I guess.

🔗 ChesscomLive (@ChesscomLive):
After reports from players having to queue to take a Covid test this morning, sadly on the final day of the #RapidBlitz we won't see Hikaru Nakamura in action as he tested positive. We hope for a false-positive or otherwise speedy recovery for Hikaru!

Magnus Carlsen lost as many games in 1 day as in his last 3 World Blitz Championships, with Levon Aronian leading on 10/12 going into the final day! (which starts 1 hour earlier) Report:

https://chess24.com/en/read/news/world-blitz-day-1-aronian-leads-as-carlsen-struggles

Why was Magnus Carlsen so unhappy after his game with Mamedyarov | World Blitz 2021

Hikaru Nakamura tested Covid positive, round delayed by 30 mins

Arjun Erigaisi saves a very difficult position and holds Aronian to a draw.

17-year-old Bibisara Assaubayeva now leads by 1.5 points as she continues her stunning tournament by beating Humpy Koneru! https://chess24.com/en/watch/live-tournaments/world-blitz-championship-women-2021/11/1/1

Carlsen-Giri incoming!

https://chess24.com/en/watch/live-tournaments/world-blitz-championship-2021/15/1/1

Dubov built on his free point for what should have been the Nakamura game to move into sole 2nd place by beating Bassem Amin! https://chess24.com/en/watch/live-tournaments/world-blitz-championship-2021/15/1/1

Wow! Anish Giri wins, inflicting a 4th loss of the World Blitz Championship on Magnus Carlsen!

Anish Giri wins an incredible game against Magnus Carlsen!