chess world champion Magnus Carlsen has defended his title at the Blitz world championship successfully. The Norwegian, who had won in November, the world Cup duel with the classical cooling-off period, against American Fabiano Caruana (USA), triumphed after 21 rounds, with a total of 17 points and remained unbeaten. Already 2009, 2014 and 2017 Carlsen had won the title.

In the flash world Cup, the clock was three minutes for each player plus two seconds per round played train. In the case of the previously-held rapid chess championship, Carlsen was ranked five.