2018 FIDE Rapid & Blitz World Championships

[Leonard Barden]

In sixth place in the women's world blitz with 6.5/9 there's a totally unknown 14-year-old Russian, Leya Garifullina, who is currently performing 400 points above her 2100 rating and in the last round, with Black. impressively outplayed former world champion Stefanova. Watch out for her today.

The 14-year-old schoolgirl has continued to storm ahead this morning and is now on 9/12 and playing Kateryno Lagno on BOARD ONE.

.......which she drew, but then allowed mate in one in a level position next round. Ah well. Meanwhile, Gawain got his queen trapped by the Indian prodigy Nihai Sarin. A great run while it lasted.

[David Robertson]

Magic Magnus has got both his hands on this now. A win against Mamedyarov puts him on 15.5, a point clear of Duda with two to play

[Chris Rice]

Final standings.

It was nice to see that the Polish PM, Mateusz Morawiecki, went out of his way to congratulate Duda on his fine performance.