Chess World No. 1 Carlsen to Compete in London Classic Super Rapid
UKPulse Sport Desk
Magnus Carlsen, the world's top-ranked chess player, will make a rare open tournament appearance at the XTX Markets London Classic Super Rapid on 5-6 December. Entry numbers have surged following the announcement of his participation.
- Magnus Carlsen will compete in the 10-round Super Rapid at the XTX Markets London Classic on 5-6 December.
- The tournament will be held at the Novotel West in Hammersmith and has a capacity of 500 players.
- Entry numbers for the Super Rapid doubled in 12 hours after Carlsen's participation was announced, now nearing 400.
World No. 1 chess player Magnus Carlsen is set to participate in the XTX Markets London Classic Super Rapid on 5-6 December. This marks a rare appearance for the Norwegian, who has held the top world ranking for 15 consecutive years, in an open tournament.
The 10-round Super Rapid will take place at the Novotel West in Hammersmith. Each player will have 15 minutes for the entire game, with a 10-second increment per move.
Following the announcement of Carlsen's participation, entries for the Super Rapid doubled in just 12 hours, reaching close to 400. The tournament has a capacity of 500 players, and Chief Arbiter Alex Holowczak anticipates it will be full by this weekend or early next week. Prospective entrants are advised to register soon to secure a place.
Carlsen is entering the Super Rapid as a warm-up before defending his World Rapid and World Blitz titles in Istanbul at the end of December. He is currently competing in Budapest in the pilot for the new Total World Championship.
Why this matters: Carlsen's participation offers a unique opportunity for many players to compete in the same over-the-board tournament as the world's top-ranked chess player.
What this means for you: If you are considering entering the Super Rapid, you are advised to do so as soon as possible to avoid disappointment, as the tournament is nearing its 500-player capacity.