Day Two Delivers Major Upsets In Open Section
Day Two of the 2025 FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship produced dramatic results as Vladislav Artemiev defeated world number one Magnus Carlsen to move into a share of the lead. Artemiev’s victory was one of the standout moments of the tournament so far and reshaped the top of the leaderboard.
Artemiev And Niemann Set The Pace
After nine rounds, Artemiev and Hans Niemann sit jointly at the top of the Open standings with 7.5 points each. Niemann continued his strong form with consistent results, while Artemiev’s win over Carlsen proved decisive in propelling him to first place. Both players now head into the final rounds as prime contenders for the world rapid title.
Carlsen Remains In Contention Despite Setback
Although Carlsen suffered his first loss of the event against Artemiev, the former world champion recovered with solid performances later in the day. He remains just half a point behind the leaders, alongside a closely packed chasing group that includes Alexey Sarana, Nodirbek Abdusattorov and teenage prodigy Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus.
Humpy Catches Zhu In Women’s Rapid Championship
In the Women’s Rapid Championship, defending champion Koneru Humpy made a strong push to catch tournament leader Zhu Jiner. After eight rounds, both players are tied at the top with 6.5 points. Humpy’s composed play on Day Two helped her close the gap, setting up an intense battle for the title in the final rounds.
Final Rounds Promise Thrilling Finish
With only a few rounds remaining in the rapid section, both the Open and Women’s competitions remain wide open. The championship now moves toward a decisive conclusion, with multiple players still in contention before the tournament transitions to the blitz phase.
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