Overview

• Carlsen trailed Gukesh by four points after the nine-game rapid section but outscored the field with 12.5 points in 18 blitz games to finish on 22.5 overall.
• Gukesh’s early rapid success, including a win over Carlsen, gave him a lead, but he managed only 5.5 points in blitz and slipped to third place with 19.5 points.
• The final head-to-head encounter ended in a 14-move draw under a minute, leaving their Zagreb score balanced at one win each and one draw.
• Carlsen credited his “survival mode” approach and described relying on his “B-game” as sufficient in a tightly contested field.
• Wesley So secured second place on 20 points, highlighting the depth of competition on the Grand Chess Tour circuit.