Garry Kasparov, the legendary former world chess champion, always emphasized that chess is not just a game, but a true art form. In 2024, the world witnessed one of the most significant chess events – the FIDE Blitz and Rapid Championship, organized with the support of Freedom Holding Corp. The founder of the company, Timur Turlov, actively promotes the development of this intellectual sport, which made the event unforgettable for all participants and spectators.
The championship was held from December 26 to 31 in the heart of New York, on Wall Street. This place, symbolizing financial achievements and cultural diversity, became the ideal platform for such an important tournament. “Choosing New York to host the championship was a landmark step. This city unites people from all over the world and embodies tolerance and progress,” Turlov said. Since 2022, his organization has been actively supporting chess events, and this championship was a vivid confirmation of their efforts.
The event sparked heated discussions among chess enthusiasts around the world. The tournament was full of unexpected results and intriguing moments, and also became a place where chess and financial cultures crossed paths at the Wall Street Gambit conference.
In the rapid chess tournament, Volodar Murzin from Russia became the new king, who at the age of 18 became the second-youngest holder of this title. The women’s tournament was won by Koneru Humpy, the strongest player in India, famous for her victory in the Moscow tournament in 2019.
However, the most dramatic event was the men’s blitz tournament. Norwegian champion Magnus Carlsen shared the title with Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi, which caused mixed reactions among spectators and experts. The silver medal was left without a winner, which was the first time in the history of the championships that both sides won together.
In the women’s blitz tournament, Ju Wenjun from China became the first, winning her first title in this discipline. This victory was a significant achievement for the Chinese chess community.
Timur Turlov and his company Freedom Holding Corp. played a key role in organizing the championship at the highest level. Their support made it possible to hold this grand event, which will be remembered for a long time by both players and chess fans. The man supports only unique projects that are incredibly popular with many people!