Top 10 Unforgettable Chess Moments of 2024 | The Year in Review

To wrap up this special year, let’s take a look back at the best chess moments of 2024—an exciting journey through incredible achievements, brilliant games, unforgettable tournaments, and the rollercoaster of emotions that players and fans alike experienced.

After much thought, I’ve compiled my top 10 chess events of the year, ranked from 10th to the 1st and most incredible moment. Plus, there’s a special New Year’s message waiting for you at the end. I hope you enjoy it!

P.S. This blog (as of December 30th) isn’t entirely complete since the World Blitz Championship is still ongoing and concludes on the morning of January 1st (NZ time zone). The results will be updated as soon as they’re available.

The Youngest IM in History

• Faustino Oro
• Abhimanyu Mishra
• Praggnanandhaa R
• Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus
• Javokhir Sindarov
• Bharath Subramaniyam
• Gukesh D
• Sergey Karjakin
• Nodirbek Abdusattorov
• Andy Woodward
  
  

The list begins with the incredible achievement of Argentine prodigy Faustino Oro, who became the youngest International Master (IM) in history on June 30 at just 10 years, 8 months, and 16 days. He broke the previous record held by Indian-American Abhimanyu Mishra by approximately 17 day

Faustino accomplished this remarkable feat at a tournament organized by the Club de Ajedrez Barcelona, finishing second with a score of 6.5/9, ahead of a GM and another IM. While the event was designed to give him a shot at the title, his opponents were no pushovers, and he had to rise to the challenge under immense pressure. Currently, his rating stands at an impressive 2433—the highest of his young and promising career.

By 2023, Faustino had already earned the title of the youngest FM in history and is now in the “race” to become the youngest Grandmaster, a record still held by Abhimanyu Mishra. Achieving the required ELO of 2500 seems within reach, as he is only 67 points away. However, he still needs to secure three GM norms (performance ratings above 2600 in international tournaments), and as of now, he hasn’t achieved anything

Whether he manages to break the record remains to be seen next year. For now, we can celebrate this remarkable milestone. Perhaps 2024 marks the rise of one of the greatest players of all time. No pressure, Faustino—take it one step at a time.

131st New Zealand Chess Congres

“Vanessa, who really cares about the New Zealand Chess Championship?” Well, maybe not everyone, but as a Kiwi chess player, it holds a special place in my heart. And since this is my blog, I’ve decided to include it here. If you’re not a fan, that’s fine—your opinion is noted and cheerfully dismissed. Let me enjoy this moment.

Jokes aside, the New Zealand Chess Congress, our national championship, is the country’s most prestigious chess event, drawing many of our top players to this remote island in the Pacific.

The 131st edition took place from January 2nd to 12th in Palmerston North. With 50 participants in the main tournament, FM Nicolas Croad emerged victorious for the third time in his career, scoring 7.5/9. The podium was rounded out by IM Tom Middelburg in 2nd place and FM Ben Hague in 3rd

Best Game of the Year

Selecting the best game from so many incredible ones is never easy, but I’ve chosen my personal favorite among those I had the pleasure of watching. My pick is the game from May 16th between Vladimir Fedoseev (representing Slovenia) and Saleh Salem of the UAE, played in round 3 of the Sharjah Masters tournament.

While Stockfish’s precision rating wasn’t as high as other games from 2024, this match was a thrilling battle, culminating in a jaw-dropping queen and rook sacrifice by Black. You can find the full game below, analyzed by Brazilian GM Rafael Leitão.

That said, brilliance isn’t the only measure of greatness. Several other games deserve recognition for their impact on the chess world. My honorable mentions go to:

• Gukesh vs. Firouzja (1-0) – Candidates Tournament. Gukesh’s best game, securing him a 0.5-point lead over his rivals.
• Caruana vs. Nepomniachtchi (0.5-0.5) – Candidates Tournament. A game analyzed in detail later in this blog.
• Ding Liren vs. Gukesh (0-1) – World Chess Championship. Another highlight covered later in this post.

If you think I’ve overlooked a deserving game, let me know in the comments! After all, it’s impossible to watch every single chess match in a year.

A New Member of the 2800 Club

Claiming the 7th spot on this list is 21-year-old GM Arjun Erigaisi, who made history on October 25 by becoming the 15th player ever to surpass the 2800 Elo mark in standard chess. Notably, he is only the second Indian to achieve this milestone, following the legendary Viswanathan Anand.

Arjun is also the third-youngest player to reach this elite milestone, behind French GM Alireza Firouzja, who broke 2800 at 18 in 2021, and Magnus Carlsen, who achieved it at 18 in 2009. What makes Arjun’s accomplishment even more remarkable is that he reached this rating primarily by competing in open tournaments against players outside the elite chess circle.

“But doesn’t playing against weaker opponents make it easier?” you might wonder. Surprisingly, the answer is no, and here’s why:

1. Players rated in the 2500–2600 range are still Grandmasters with deep chess knowledge, making them tough to defeat, especially with Black.
2. The larger the Elo gap between Arjun and his opponents, the fewer points he gains for a win and the more he risks losing for a draw or defeat.

This is why most top players with ratings above 2750 prefer closed tournaments with similarly rated opponents, minimizing drastic rating fluctuations. Arjun’s path to 2800 was both unique and challenging, solidifying his place among the chess elite.

Major Tournaments of 2024

While this isn’t a single moment, it’s worth dedicating a section to highlight the results of some of the year’s most significant tournaments (excluding a few major ones that will be spotlighted later). As I’ve mentioned in my blog “Major Chess Tournaments And Their Sporting Twins”, the Tata Steel Masters remains one of the most prestigious annual chess events, traditionally held in January.

The 2024 edition saw Wei Yi from China emerge victorious after defeating Gukesh in the tiebreak finals. In the Challengers section, Indian prodigy Leon Luke Mendonça claimed the top spot, earning his place in the 2025 Masters.

Other noteworthy tournaments included the Sinquefield Cup, won by Alireza Firouzja, and the US Championship, where Fabiano Caruana claimed his third consecutive title. Norway Chess concluded with Magnus Carlsen triumphing on home soil.

These events, among others, contributed points to the FIDE Circuit 2024, with the ultimate winner earning a coveted spot in the 2026 Candidates Tournament. At the time of writing, Fabiano Caruana leads the standings, though Arjun Erigaisi remains in contention.

In late December, Magnus Carlsen also clinched the Champion Chess Tour Finals in Oslo. While not among the year’s top-tier events, it’s a fan favorite due to its exciting hybrid format, combining online tournaments with over-the-board finals and its live Chess.com coverage.

Update (December 31st): Fabiano Caruana has officially won the FIDE Circuit 2024!

World Rapid & Blitz Championship 2024

On December 26, the final major chess event of the year kicked off: the World Rapid & Blitz Championship. Featuring nearly all the top players, including 2023 champion Magnus Carlsen and streaming sensation Hikaru Nakamura, this tournament has become a highly anticipated year-end tradition, taking place between Christmas and New Year. This year, the event is hosted in New York, USA.

Although it doesn’t hold the same weight as the classical World Championship, the Rapid & Blitz Championship is a prestigious annual competition that captivates players, media, and fans alike. Its open format adds to the excitement, as each year brings a new champion and renewed hope for all participants.

The Rapid Championship concluded yesterday with a surprising victory by 18-year-old Russian GM Volodar Murzin, who scored 10/13. This marks a remarkable comeback in his career, years after the memorable moment of him shedding tears at the 2019 World Blitz Championship. On the women’s side, Indian veteran Koneru Humpy clinched the title.

However, one of the tournament’s biggest talking points was Magnus Carlsen’s withdrawal due to a controversy over his jeans violating the dress code.

The Blitz Championship is still ongoing as this blog is being published. Updates on the winners and their past titles will follow as soon as the information is available:

• Open – Winners: Magnus Carlsen (8th title) and Ian Nepomniachtchi (1st title).
• Women – Winner: Ju Wenjun (1st title).

Chess Olympiad 2024

September brought us one of the most celebrated events in the chess world: the FIDE Chess Olympiad! The 45th edition of this iconic tournament was hosted in Budapest, Hungary, with an impressive turnout of 197 nations competing in the open section and 181 in the women’s section. Many of the world’s top players proudly donned their national colors to battle it out for glory.

The Winners? No surprises here! India dominated both categories, signaling the rise of a new chess powerhouse. In the open section, India’s “Dream Team”—comprised of Dommaraju Gukesh, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Santosh Gujrathi, and Pentala Harikrishna—went undefeated, securing 10 wins and 1 draw.

The women’s team was equally formidable, featuring Harika Dronavalli, Rameshbabu Vaishali, Deshmukh Divya, Agrawal Vantika, and Tania Sachdev. They delivered an exceptional performance with 9 wins, 1 draw, and just 1 loss. Impressively, Indian legends Viswanathan Anand and Koneru Humpy weren’t even required for this remarkable victory, further highlighting the nation’s depth in talent.

India’s clean sweep at the Chess Olympiad may very well mark the dawn of a new golden era in the chess world!

Candidates Tournament 2024

From April 3rd to April 22nd, chess fans were treated to the most intense and anticipated event of the year—the Candidates Tournament. This double round-robin event featured eight of the world’s strongest players battling for the right to challenge the reigning World Chess Champion. For those curious about my predictions before the event, feel free to check out my earlier blog post.

As expected, the tournament delivered a thrilling spectacle filled with dramatic moments. Heading into the final round, 17-year-old Indian sensation Gukesh led the standings with 8.5 points after a stunning victory against Alireza Firouzja in Round 13—arguably his best game of the tournament. Just half a point behind him were Fabiano Caruana, Hikaru Nakamura, and Ian Nepomniachtchi.

In the decisive 14th round, Gukesh and Nakamura drew their game, leaving the outcome dependent on the match between Caruana and Nepomniachtchi. Despite gaining a winning position, Caruana couldn’t convert, and the game ended in a draw, leaving both players dejected and crowning Gukesh as the winner. Relive the action with an analysis by Brazilian GM Rafael Leitão:

In the women’s Candidates Tournament, held simultaneously at the same venue, the competition, while less dramatic, showcased incredible skill. Tan Zhongyi of China emerged victorious, securing her spot to challenge Ju Wenjun for the Women’s World Championship title next year. The dates for their showdown are yet to be announced.

World Chess Championship 2024

In November, Gukesh faced off against reigning champion Ding Liren in the World Chess Championship match held in Singapore. Despite Ding’s efforts to defend his title while not being in top form, the Chinese Grandmaster proved to be a formidable opponent for the young Indian challenger, who entered the match as the favorite due to his stellar recent performances.

The match began with an unexpected twist as Ding won the first game, delivering an early shock to Gukesh. Undeterred, the Indian prodigy bounced back with a victory in Game 3, leveling the score. The turning point seemed to come in Game 11 when Gukesh secured another win, putting him within striking distance of the title. Yet, the “Chinese Dragon” roared back, claiming Game 12 to tie the match once more.

The championship ultimately came down to Game 14, played on December 12, the final classical game of the match. Both players entered a theoretically drawn endgame, with Black holding a slight material advantage but no clear path to break through White’s defenses. Then came a moment destined for history books—a devastating blunder by Ding, marking one of the most shocking mistakes in World Chess Championship history.

Relive the drama of the final game, complete with analysis by none other than Brazilian GM Rafael Leitão:

With this emotional triumph that brought him to tears, Gukesh made history as the youngest-ever World Chess Champion at just 18 years old, igniting a wave of celebration among fans in India and across the globe. True to his word, he marked the occasion by going bungee jumping—a promise he kept just days after his victory.

The Former Coach of Gukesh and Madras School of Chess Co-founder, GM Vishnu Prasanna, Shares His Thoughts on Gukesh.

“As someone who has known Gukesh since his childhood, I can only describe this moment as surreal. Watching him grow from a curious, determined young boy to becoming the youngest World Champion is a testament to his relentless spirit and unwavering focus.

Coaching him was a privilege, but seeing him soar beyond our dreams is a joy beyond words. Gukesh, your journey inspires millions, and I couldn’t be prouder of you. The world is yours now, and this is just the beginning.

Indian chess is in good hands, and the future. Shine on, Champ!

Conclusion

Thank you for staying with me through this blog and throughout the year! I hope you enjoyed this brief recap of 2024. While I couldn’t include every memorable moment, feel free to share any highlights I missed in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts.

This year has been incredible for chess enthusiasts, and 2025 promises to be just as exciting. We have the Women’s World Chess Championship between Ju Wenjun and Tan Zhongyi, the FIDE World Cup, the FIDE Grand Swiss, and many other thrilling events lined up to keep us captivated.

As we wrap up, I wish you all a Happy New Year filled with joy, love, peace, and happiness alongside your loved ones. May 2025 be everything you hope for, and remember to stay positive even when life throws challenges your way—it’s the tough times that make the good ones shine brighter.

Keep studying, playing, and discovering the magic of chess. Here’s to brilliant moves, spectacular combinations, and unforgettable victories! Above all, keep enjoying the game, because that’s what truly matters. See you in the next blog! Keep following along and enjoying our content!