Best Chess Puzzles From the 2022 World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships
The World Rapid and Blitz Championships are the ultimate test of skill for top chess players from around the world. With a fast-paced format and high stakes, these tournaments always bring excitement and drama to fans and participants alike. In this blog, we're taking a look at 9 of the best puzzles from the 2022 World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships.
Whether you're a seasoned chess player or a beginner, these puzzles are sure to test your skills. So get ready to sharpen your mind and see how you stack up against some of the world's best players!
1. Daniil Dubov vs Nihal Sarin, Rapid Round 7
With the Karpov-style rook on the fourth rank and all pieces poised for action, the checkmate is imminent.
White to mate in 5 or less
Solution:
1.Qh5 if 1…gh5 2.Bh7#
2. Zaven Andriasian vs Zhandos Agmanov, Rapid Round 4
White holds the advantage, but to solidify their attack, they need to bring more pieces into play.
White to move:
Solution:
1.Re3 aims to double the rooks with a tempo. If Black takes 1…Ne3 then 2.Ne5+ wins the black queen. The game continued with 1…Nd5 2.Qb8 Nde3 3.Qc8 Rd5 4.Qf8 Kg6 5.Qe8 with a decisive attack.
3. Aleksandr Shimanov vs Magnus Carlsen, Blitz Round 20
At first glance, the game appears to be headed for a draw, but the world champ manages to find a hidden resource, leading to his opponent's resignation.
Black to win
Solution:
1…Bb2 if 2.Nb2 then a3 and the pawn cannot be stopped.
4. Magnus Carlsen vs Richard Rapport, Blitz Round 14
Although Carlsen eventually won this game, he missed a beautiful move in this position. The position is quite unique, Black has an extra rook and exchange, but its king is weak with the queen too far to defend it. White has a chance to claim the victory in just a few moves.
White to move
Solution:
1.f3 locking the black queen out. Now white threatens to promote the pawn, taking advantage of the weakness on d5.
5. Eric Hansen vs Alexander Grischuk, Blitz Round 3
A strange position… After Grischuk’s Bg2, Kg2 is the natural response. However, Hansen plays more creatively which helps him defeat the 3-time World Blitz Champion.
White to move
Solution:
1.Nf5 Bd5 2.Ne7 Qe7 3.Rd5
6. Vladislav Artemiev vs Rauf Mamedov, Blitz Round 4
Similar vibes as in the previous puzzle. Usually, White would re-capture the pawn on f4, but, Vlad finds a much stronger move leading to a perilous attack on the black king.
White to move
Solution:
1.Ng4 starting an attack through the a1-h8 diagonal. Artemiev didn’t manage to convert the advantage but Black was surely close to losing.
7. Hikaru Nakamura vs Fabiano Caruana, Blitz Round 6
Naka time! Caruana’s last move was Be8 in an attempt to protect the c6 pawn. Unfortunately, it’s not the only black piece that needs protection. Nakamura’s response is crushing.
White to win
Solution:
1.Nd5 cd 2.Bd5+ Kh8 3.Rf8 Bf8 4.Bc4 +-
8. AR Saleh Salem vs Alexander Grischuk, Blitz Round 21
Grischuk played Nd6 in 4 seconds which turned out to be a blunder. Although Black is a pawn up, the white bishops will have the last say.
White to win
Solution:
1.Qb3 and Black have to give up a piece to defend the checkmate on g8.
9. Vladislav Artemiev vs Magnus Carlsen, Rapid Round 11
Carlsen too blunders sometimes. Although he had more than 11 minutes against Artemiev’s 2, he made a quick move, Ne4, resulting in his only loss in the Rapid Championship.
White to move
Solution:
1.f4 Qf5 2.g4 Rc3 3.gf5 Rb3 4.ab3 ef5 5.Rd7 +-
Hope you enjoyed the puzzles. If you enjoy solving puzzles from real games, you may also read our Top 10 chess puzzles from FIDE Candidates 2020/2021.