Chess: Caruana equals Carlsen’s record as Kasparov criticises world title match
Fabiano Caruana, the world No 3 and US champion, won the Zagreb Rapid/Blitz with a record-equalling total of 27/36, and was sure of first prize with five rounds to spare
April 2024
Leonard Barden on chess
Caruana favourite as Candidates begins while Carlsen wins sixth event in a row
The contest to decide Ding Liren’s challenger began on Thursday, while the world No 1 kept up his winning streak in the Grenke Classic
February 2024
Leonard Barden on chess
Chess: Carlsen beats Caruana in freestyle final while Ding finishes last
The world No 1 recovered from a slow start to defeat young rivals Firouzja and Abdusattorov while China’s world champion has been unable to shake off a losing spiral
November 2023
Leonard Barden on chess
Chess: Caruana and Nakamura join leaders as Grand Swiss nears finale
The US world Nos 2 and 3 timed their finishing spurts well, but are paired together in Saturday’s penultimate round
October 2023
Leonard Barden on chess
Chess: Fabiano Caruana keeps his US crown and heads for 2024 Candidates
The 31-year-old won his third US title and is returning to his 2018 form when he drew all 12 classical world championship games against Magnus Carlsen before losing the speed chess tiebreak
June 2023
Leonard Barden on chess
Chess: Hikaru Nakamura snatches final round victory from Fabiano Caruana
Leonard Barden on chess
Chess: Caruana leads at Stavanger after beating Carlsen in opening round
May 2023
Leonard Barden on chess
Chess: Caruana edges Bucharest while Ding narrowly avoids finishing bottom
The US champion finished on 5.5/9, half a point ahead of a quartet of pursuers, while the new world champion, fatigued from his title match exertions, escaped last place only in the final round
October 2021
Leonard Barden on chess
Chess: Fabiano Caruana trails at US championship and loses world No 2 spot
One win from his first six games in St Louis has left the American lagging well behind Ding Liren in the world rankings
October 2020
Leonard Barden on chess
Chess: Carlsen extends record unbeaten streak after beating world No 2 Caruana
Norway’s world champion outplays his US rival in a 51-move rook ending in Stavanger amid multiple anti-coronavirus precautions
June 2020
Leonard Barden on chess
Chess: Carlsen routs Caruana and tops fantasy football league in winning week
The world champion topped the Fantasy Premier League rankings again while Britain’s first online national league is set for its final on Tuesday amid computer aid controversy
March 2020
Leonard Barden on chess
Chess: Candidates defy coronavirus to start battle to face Magnus Carlsen
Early rounds of the tournament saw Ding Liren, who had been in lockdown before the tournament, lose twice before beating the No 1 seed, Fabiano Caruana
January 2020
Leonard Barden on chess
Chess: Caruana lining up another title shot after eclipsing Carlsen at Wijk
Leonard Barden on chess
Chess: Fabiano Caruana leads Magnus Carlsen by a point as Wijk end nears
September 2019
Leonard Barden on chess
Chess: age catches up with Garry Kasparov in 5-1 loss to Fabiano Caruana
Kasparov, 56, struggled with fast time limits in the Champions Showdown at St Louis and said afterwards: ‘I can fight all opponents, but not age’
March 2019
Leonard Barden on chess
Chess: Fabiano Caruana ends winless run after Magnus Carlsen’s taunt
Leonard Barden on chess
Chess: Fabiano Caruana shines at speed and crushes his opponent in St Louis
December 2018
Leonard Barden on chess
Chess: Fabiano Caruana misses another chance for world No 1 ranking
The defeated challenger to Magnus Carlsen lost again in speed chess, this time to Hikaru Nakamura in the London Classic semi-finals
Leonard Barden on chess
Chess: Fabiano Caruana seeks to overtake Magnus Carlsen as world No 1
Defeated US challenger has a chance to capture the top ranking which the Norwegian has held in an unbroken run since 2011
Magnus Carlsen's tense victory sends interest in chess soaring
Intensity of championship and ease of watching the game online is bringing it to a wider audience
