The 17 undisputed World Champions

1. Wilhelm Steinitz
2. Emanuel Lasker
3. José Raúl Capablanca
4. Alexander Alekhine
5. Max Euwe
6. Mikhail Botvinnik
7. Vasily Smyslov
8. Mikhail Tal
9. Tigran Petrosian
10. Boris Spassky
11. Bobby Fischer
12. Anatoly Karpov
13. Garry Kasparov
14. Vladimir Kramnik
15. Viswanathan Anand
16. Magnus Carlsen
17. Ding Liren

Replay: Nepo – Ding game 1 / Ding – Nepo game 2 / Nepo – Ding game 3 / Nepo – Ding game 4 / Nepo – Ding game 5 / Nepo – Ding game 6 / Nepo – Ding game 7 / Nepo – Ding game 8 / Nepo – Ding game 9 / Nepo – Ding game 10 / Nepo – Ding game 11 / Nepo – Ding game 12 / Nepo – Ding game 13 / Nepo – Ding game 14 / Nepo – Ding tiebreaks

Ding Liren’s way to the World Chess Champion 2023 title

After FIDE’s ban on Sergey Karjakin for 6 months, a replacement for the Russian player at the Candiadates Chess 2022 was needed. By the current regulations, the player to enter the event will be selected by rating – considering the FIDE rating list published on May 1 (something that Anish Giri vigorously protested in an interview during the ongoing Grand Prix in Berlin). The best Chinese chess player started his journey of 28 standard games on March 27th and finished the marathon on April 24th. The Chinese Chess Association organized a 4-player quadruple round-robin in Hangzhou (12 games) (see the report here); a 6-game match against Wei Yi (6 games); and finally a 10-round qualifier to the Asian Games (10 games). Completing 28 games with an impressive score of 20.5 points (13 victories, 15 draws and no loss), Ding Liren finished the quest of 26 games and became eligible to take Karjakin’s place in the Candidates.

In the Candidates event Ding Liren finished second after Nepo, which was achieved by a victory vs Nakamura in the last round. The biggest Chinese Sports channel CCTV-5 broadcasts the FIDE Candidates Chess Tournament 2022 live, supporting their countryman Ding Liren on the road to World Chess Championship Match. More than a million people daily followed Liren’s games from Palacio Santona, Madrid.

Final standing in the open categories:

U07

1. McCallum, Elliot (8) CAN
2. Nurshin, Nurali (7.5) KAZ
3. Ulan, Rizat (7) KAZ

U09

1. Kiringoda, Thehas Rithmitha (7.5) SRI
2. Bissaliyev, Aisultan (7) KAZ
3. Zhauynbay, Alimzhan (7) KAZ

U11

1. Yilmaz, Baver (8) TUR
2. Obidov, Biloliddin (7) UZB
3. Kuandykuly, Danis (6.5) KAZ

U13

1. Durucay, Uygar (9) TUR
2. Tenguundalai, Ganbat (7.5) MGL
3. Mamedov, Edgar (7) KAZ

U15

1. Kiladze, Luka (6) GEO
2. FM Celik, Hasan Huseyin TUR
3. Raczek, Krzysztof (5.5) POL

U17

1. FM Tarhan, Adar (7.5) TUR
2. FM Suleymanli, Suleyman (7) AZE
3. FM Filip, Andrei (6.5) ROU

In the U13 Yugar Durucay became the only player of the tournament to score outstanting 9 out of 9, after his victory over Kuanysh Dzhumakanov in the final round.

In the girls’ categories, there was no change in the final rankings after the last round. The top trios in all sections preserved their positions.

G7

1. Gerelt-Oyu, Tsogtgerel (8) MGL
2. Kinzyabulatova, Reana (7.5) FID
3. Rayna, Ajay Patel (7) IND

G9 

1. Berikkyzy, Alanna (8) KAZ
2. Tselmuun, Ider (8) MGL
3. Zhu, Alicia (7) USA

G11

1. Buyankhishig, Batpelden (8) MGL
2. Pehlivanova, Aleksandra (6.5) BUL
3. Diaskyzy, Daliya (6.5) KAZ

G13

1. Siskou, Evangelia (7,5) GRE
2. Urangoo, Gurvanbaatar(7,5) MGL
3. Sodgerelt, Naranbold (6.5) MGL

G15

1. WFM Kirtadze, Anastasia (7,5) GEO
2. Regidor, Kaye Lalaine (7) PHI
3. WCM Yildiz, Elif Zeren (6.5) TUR

G17

1. WIM Kairbekova, Amina (8) KAZ
2. WFM Ciftci, Zeynep (7.5) TUR
3. Akat, Elifnaz (6.5) TUR

The battle between the compatriots from Mongolia in the U13 Gurvanbaatar Urangoo – Naranbold Sodgerelt decided the 2nd and 3rd places in the category. Aleksandra Pehlivanova’s win over Kateryna Onipko lifted her to 2nd place on the podium in the U11 category.

Closing Ceremony

The Rhodes Chess Club “Ippotis” organized a huge celebration at the closing ceremony full of music, colors and endless smiles. The “Jupiter” hall was overflowed with feelings of joy, emotion, a sample of a perfectly organized event.

World Chess Championship 2023 in Astana: Nepo – Ding game 1 / Ding – Nepo game 2 / Nepo – Ding game 3 / Nepo – Ding game 4 / Nepo – Ding game 5 / Nepo – Ding game 6 / Nepo – Ding game 7 / Nepo – Ding game 8 / Nepo – Ding game 9 / Nepo – Ding game 10 / Nepo – Ding game 11

The ceremony was attended by Kallistos Diakogeorgiou (Deputy Governor of Industry, Energy and Natural Resources) on behalf of the South Aegean Region, the President of ECU Zurab Azmaiparashvili, the General Secretary of ECU Theodoros Tzorbatzoglou, the President of the Rhodes Chess Club “Ippotis” Stamos Karavas, the President of the Mongolian Chess Federation Erdenebaatar Gurvanbaatar, the Turkish Consul in Rhodes Salim Kirciali, the Vice Presidents of ECU Gunnar Bjornsson, Eva Repkova, Alojzije Jankovic, Jean Michel Rapaire and FIDE representative  Ozgur Solakoglu.

The closing ceremony started with a wonderful concert by the youth choir of Michalis Kalaitzis followed by traditional dances performed by the dance group “Proodos”. Both acts enthralled all those present who clapped rhythmically to the Greek beat.

The awards ceremony started with the Deputy Governor Mr. Kallistos Diakogeorgiou giving the trophies and customized medals to the G17 category, followed by Mr. Salim Kirciali with the U17 category, Ms. Eva Repkova in the G15, Mr. Zurab Azmaiparashvili in the U15, Mr. Theodoros Dzorbatzoglu in G13, Mr. Ozgur Solakoglu in U13, Mr. Erdenebaatar Gurvanbaatar in G11, Mr. Gunnar Bjornsson in U11, Mr. Jean Michel Rapaire in G09, Alojzije Jankovic in G07 and Mr. Giorgos Mastrokoukos – on behald of the organizing committee – in U07.

The top 3 countries (medalists) of WSCC 2023 are:
Kazakhstan 9 (2 gold, 2 silver, 5 bronze)
Turkey 7 (3 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze)
Mongolia 6 (2 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze)

The championships were a joint event of the Rhodes Chess Club “Ippotis” with the South Aegean Region and the Municipality of Rhodes through the Municipal Organization of Culture and Sports (DOPAR) under the auspices of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) and the Hellenic Chess Federation (ESO).

The organizers express their gratidude to the event’s sponsors: Xenakis Cars, Beekeeping of Dodecanese, J&D Rent a Car, Rodos Palace Hotel, Radio Taxi Diagoras, Accounting Office of Papadimitriou and Associates (Papadimitriou Panagiotis), AtHolidays, Cafe Auvergne & Restaurant Romaio, Tropaion, Odeon of Dodecanese and the communication sponsors Eleftheros Typos

To facilitate transportation, Mr. Nikos Xenakis (Xenakis Cars) as the sponsor of electric mobility, provided 3 modern cars (electric – hybrid) covering the needs for the transportation of the organization’s executives.