Magnus Carlsen’s “B-Game” Still Reigns Supreme in Croatia Showdown
Magnus Carlsen has once again proven that even when he’s not at his best, he’s still the man to beat. At the 2025 SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz in Croatia, Carlsen walked away with yet another title—his 10th win out of 12 Grand Chess Tour rapid and blitz events—by simply playing what he himself calls his “B-game.” He clinched victory with a round to spare, ending the tournament 2.5 points ahead of his closest competitor, GM Wesley So.
Now, let’s be clear: this wasn’t a walk in the park. In fact, Carlsen himself admitted that only one day truly felt “good” to him, and even that was “a little bit lucky.” But that, he said, was kind of the point. The tournament was so balanced, no one broke away, and when that happens, Carlsen’s consistent—even if not electric—play ends up being enough.
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The final day wasn’t smooth sailing at all. After starting strong with 7.5/9 on day one of blitz, he only scored 5/9 on day two. His round-one draw against Anish Giri was a grueling 89-move slog. He followed that up with a highlight win over Alireza Firouzja, which briefly widened the gap, but his momentum was shaky. Even in matches that seemed under control, like his games against So and Praggnanandhaa, he either settled for draws or barely escaped with one. At one point, it even looked like he might lose the title, but his closest rival Duda blundered just in time against Ivan Saric, essentially handing Carlsen the win on a silver platter.
That said, Carlsen still closed with a victory in the final round, finishing strong after missing an easier win earlier. That summed up his tournament—far from flawless, but solid enough when everyone else faltered. His performance was a masterclass in competitive endurance rather than brilliance, and it worked.
Meanwhile, Wesley So bounced back impressively from a poor rapid showing to claim second place, even overtaking World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju in the final round. Gukesh, who had led after the rapid phase, couldn’t hold his form through the blitz, ultimately settling for third. Their head-to-head with Carlsen was a muted 14-move Berlin draw—anticlimactic but telling. The handshake, the lack of drama, the silent chessboard: it was the calm before and after the storm.
Off the board, Carlsen made waves too. He tweeted cheekily about how his B-game is “usually enough” when no one else excels—a subtle flex, but not inaccurate. And that’s just it: when the dust settles, Carlsen still stands at the top. Whether it’s classic, rapid, or blitz, his ability to navigate chaotic fields with a steady hand remains unmatched.
The Grand Chess Tour now heads to the U.S., but this win in Croatia is yet another reminder: the Carlsen era isn't over. Not even close.
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