The Most Amazing Chess Feats in 2022 and 2023

Chess is a game of strategy, logic, and creativity. It is also a game of challenges, surprises, and achievements. In the past two years, we have seen some of the most amazing chess feats in history, done by some of the best players in the world. Here are some of the highlights of the chess scene in 2022 and 2023:

Alireza Firouzja wins the Grand Chess Tour 2022: The 19-year-old Iranian-French prodigy shocked the chess world by winning the prestigious Grand Chess Tour 2022, a series of five classical tournaments featuring the world’s elite players. Firouzja scored 36 points out of a possible 50, ahead of world champion Magnus Carlsen, who finished second with 33 points. Firouzja also won the final event, the Sinquefield Cup, after beating Ian Nepomniachtchi in a playoff. Firouzja’s performance was seen as a breakthrough and a sign of a new generation of chess stars.
Ding Liren becomes the new World Chess Champion: The Chinese grandmaster Ding Liren made history by becoming the first Asian player to win the classical World Chess Championship title, after defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi in a thrilling match in Dubai in April 2023. Ding Liren won by a score of 8.5-7.5, after 14 games of high-quality chess. The match was also notable for the absence of Magnus Carlsen, who decided to vacate the title after winning the 2021 match against Nepomniachtchi. Ding Liren’s victory was celebrated as a milestone for Chinese and Asian chess, and a challenge for Carlsen’s dominance.
Ju Wenjun defends her Women’s World Chess Championship title: The Chinese grandmaster Ju Wenjun proved her supremacy in women’s chess by successfully defending her Women’s World Chess Championship title against the Russian grandmaster Aleksandra Goryachkina in May 2023. Ju Wenjun won by a score of 9-7, after 16 games of fierce chess. The match was a rematch of the 2020 Women’s World Chess Championship, which Ju Wenjun also won in a tie-break. Ju Wenjun’s victory was praised as a demonstration of her consistency and strength, and a confirmation of China’s dominance in women’s chess.
Magnus Carlsen wins the World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2022: The Norwegian legend Magnus Carlsen showed his brilliance and versatility by winning both the World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2022, held in Almaty, Kazakhstan in December 2022. Carlsen scored 12.5 points out of 15 in the rapid section, and 17 points out of 21 in the blitz section, leaving his rivals far behind. Carlsen also achieved the highest ELO rating of all time in both rapid and blitz, reaching 2962 and 3012 respectively. Carlsen’s performance was regarded as a masterpiece of chess art and speed, and a proof of his genius.