FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship Makes Historic Debut in New York City

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Most of the World’s Top Chess Players Compete in Electrifying Rapid Format for the Most Thrilling Chess Event of the Year

NEW YORK, November 22, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--One of the most popular and prestigious chess tournaments held by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the World Rapid & Blitz, will be held in North America for the first time ever. The championship, attracting 300 of the best players from around the world, will take place in New York City’s financial district on December 26-31, 2024.

This six-day event will showcase elite chess players from every continent as they converge on the heart of Wall Street. A prize fund of nearly $1.5 million will be presented at the tournament. Freedom Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: FRHC), a multi-national diversified financial services holding company is the title sponsor for the championship.

This year’s event introduces a thrilling twist: a knockout stage in the later rounds, making it even more challenging for the players. This new format raises the stakes, ensuring dramatic finishes and keeping players and fans on edge until the final move.

Fans wishing to experience the event in person can now purchase tickets, available at: https://tickets.fide.com/

Among the Grandmasters already scheduled to participate are:

Magnus Carlsen: Carlsen is the world’s top-rated player and reigning world champion in both the Rapid and Blitz. He has won five Rapid and six Blitz championships;

Ian Nepomniachtchi: Nepomniachtchi is a two-time world champion challenger and two-time world Rapid championship runner-up, currently ranked eighth in the world;

Alireza Firouzja: 21-year old Firouzja is the youngest player ever to break the 2800 ELO barrier;

Fabiano Caruana: Caruana, who is No. 2 in the world, headlines the list of players from the U.S. This former world championship challenger recently claimed his fourth U.S. championship title;

Wesley So: So, another U.S. heavyweight, is a key member of the U.S. national team.

Other notable players competing for the world title: Levon Aronian, one of the most experienced players, Leinier Dominguez and Samuel Sevian- a chess prodigy from New York who won the 2017 American Continental Chess Championship.

In addition to the open competitions, there will be separate events for women players, bringing together world champions, top contenders, and some of the brightest emerging talents in women’s chess, including former world champions Alexandra Kosteniuk from Switzerland, and Mariya Muzychuk from Ukraine. Former challengers China’s Lei Tingjie and India’s Humpy Koneru have also confirmed their participation.

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