Anna snatches World Rapid Chess title

Consistent Anna Muzychuk of Ukraine clinched the World Rapid Chess title in Qatar in an emphatic fashion.
Yesterday, at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena, the 26-year-old finished with nine points at the end of 12 rounds.
The former world number 2, who earlier used to play for Slovenia,  is also the current world blitz title holder and will defend her title in Qatar, when the two-day championship begins today.
Muzychuk superiority was never in doubt from day one in Doha. She finished on top on day one and also on day two, and capped her consistent run on the final day by bagging the title.
"It was  a tiring championship,  and happy to win another title,"  said the winner.
"I have to prepare for the next championship , the blitz event,  and hopefully I will win the event, looking forward to the next two days."
Alexandra Kosteniuk finished second, while Nana Dzagnidze to the third place The rapid category was contested over 12 rounds for Women`s championship, with a single game for each round, Swiss event.
On day two, Muzychuk from Ukraine, who was convincing leader after five rounds, slowed down a bit by making 2 draws in rounds 5 and 6, but after 2 victories in rounds 7 and 8 against Nana Dzagnidze and Alina Kashlinskaya, she finished the day on the first place with 7/8 points. Russian players Alexandra Kosteniuk and Katerina Lagno made a draw in the 8th round and shared the second place together with Iranian player Sarasadat Khademalsharieh.
The Blitz Championships will continue during the next two days.
The events are both Swiss pairings tournaments. The Blitz will have twenty one (21) rounds in open championship and seventeen (17) rounds in women`s championship, with a single game for each round, Swiss event. The total prize money for the Open tournament is $400,000 with $40,000 for the winner of each championship and $80,000 in Women Championships with $10,000 for the winner of each championship.
In the mens section,oOn the second day of the three day event, Vassily Ivanchuk finished the day of the rapid tournament in first place. Ukrainian player made 4,5 out of 5 by defeating among the others the World Champion Magnus Carlsen and the nearest rival Shakhriyar Mamedyarov.
Mamedyarov from Azerbaijan and Nepomniatchtchi from Russia shared the second place half a point behind.
The leader of the first day Anton Korobov from Ukraine lost against Levon Aronian and Mamedyarov. On the second day of the three day event, Vassily Ivanchuk finished the day of the rapid tournament in first place.
Ukrainian player made 4,5 out of 5 by defeating among the others the World Champion Magnus Carlsen and the nearest rival Shakhriyar Mamedyarov.