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Goryachkina Wins World Rapid Title in Doha Playoff

A two-game decider against China’s Zhu Jiner settled the championship after a three-way tie on 8.5 points.

Overview

  • Alexandra Goryachkina beat Zhu Jiner by winning the first playoff game and drawing the second to clinch the crown in Doha.
  • Goryachkina, defending champion Koneru Humpy, and Zhu all finished the rapid event on 8.5 points after the final round.
  • Tie-break calculations placed Koneru third, leaving Goryachkina and Zhu to contest the title in the playoff.
  • Goryachkina posted two wins and a draw on the final day to reach the top score and captured her first rapid world title.
  • She is the third Russian to win the rapid championship after Alexandra Kosteniuk and Anastasia Bodnaruk, with the blitz worlds set for December 29–30 in Doha.