Chess 2024: A Year in Review - Key Highlights and Surprises

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Welcome to the second episode of our chess podcast, Chess Times—a Chess Gaja Podcast. Okay, so today we’re recapping... basically, all the major happenings in the chess world throughout 2024. And let me tell you, there’s been no shortage of excitement this year. Are you ready to dive into it?

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Absolutely! From meteoric rises of new talents to dramatic showdowns in high-stakes tournaments, I mean, 2024 has been nothing short of thrilling. Where should we start?

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Oh, there’s so much to talk about! Let’s figure this out chronologically—well, no, scrap that, we’ll focus on the most exciting stuff first. How about that?

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Good call. Highlight first—that seems like a fitting choice, considering how many jaw-dropping moments there were in chess this past year.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Right? It’s been—a pretty epic year. Okay, okay, let me think...

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Okay, I’ve got it! Let’s start by diving into the event everyone couldn’t stop talking about—the biggest chess event of 2024, the World Chess Championship in Singapore. And wow, what a match!

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Oh, absolutely. I mean, Gukesh D.—just 18 years old—making history as the youngest challenger ever. Going toe-to-toe with Ding Liren, no less. It was phenomenal.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Right? And right from the start, he brought this aggressive, dynamic style to the games. You could tell he wasn’t intimidated at all by Ding’s reputation.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Not at all. And that final match—Game 14—on December 12? Pure drama. Ding under pressure... he made a shocking blunder in a critical position with the white pieces.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Oh, I remember watching that and thinking, "No way. Did that really just happen?!"

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Exactly. And Gukesh, like a true champion, capitalized on it immediately. Calm as ever, he turned that moment into his victory. Winning with black pieces in such a high-stakes game—it’s just incredible.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

And that score, 7 and a half to 6 and a half. Oh my gosh, this guy—youngest undisputed World Chess Champion ever. That’s just... unreal.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

It’s historic, no question about it. Gukesh has etched his name in the history books. And honestly, this feels like the start of something massive for him, the beginning of a new era in chess.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

After the electrifying finish to the World Championship, you’d think chess fans might get a breather—but no, the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships in New York City brought even more high-stakes action to the stage.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Absolutely! The rapid section, in particular, saw something remarkable. Volodar Murzin, only 18 years old, dominated with a perfect undefeated score—10 out of 13 rounds. Can you believe that?

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Eighteen years old. That’s insane. He’s just... fearless! And on the women’s side, we had Koneru Humpy making waves. She claimed her second title in rapid chess, closing with a stellar 8 and a half points out of 11.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Oh, yes! Her strong performance just proves why she’s such a force in the chess world. But let’s not overlook the drama in the blitz championships either.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Oh, I know! Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi. Tied for the men’s title. Just... wow.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

It’s incredible. Magnus, in particular—this is his eighth time holding the blitz title. Eight! That’s just unparalleled dominance. But Nepomniachtchi, sharing the title, shows he’s not backing down either. It’s such an epic rivalry.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

And don’t forget Ju Wenjun! She’s the women’s blitz world champion, showing incredible speed and tactics to clinch the title for China.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Another well-deserved win. These rapid and blitz games, honestly, show off just how dynamic chess can be. The strategies, the speed—it’s chess on adrenaline.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Speaking of incredible performances, let’s dive into some of the names that have truly exploded onto the chess scene this year. 2024 has brought us so many rising stars, and it’s just amazing to watch it all unfold.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

True. It’s so exciting to witness the next generation of chess players making their mark. Take Faustino Oro, for instance. He became the youngest International Master at just 10 years old—10! It’s astonishing.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Right? And people are calling him the "Messi of Chess." I mean, that’s not a comparison anyone makes lightly. This kid is out here beating, like, adult grandmasters in bullet games!

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Exactly. And then there’s Erdogmus Yagiz Kaan. His aggressive style and deep understanding of chess make him stand out on the board. Watching his games feels like—like witnessing a chess storm in action.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

A storm. I love that!

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

And let’s not forget Ediz Gurel. He’s consistently proving himself to be a major talent to watch. With these three, the future of chess looks incredibly bright. It’s a privilege to see them rising up.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

It really is. This new wave—they’re not just great players, they’re changing the vibe around chess. It’s like, I don’t know, seeing the sport transform right in front of us.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Speaking of transformations, let’s take a look at some of the major tournaments of 2024. The Tata Steel Chess Tournament, for example—it remained fascinating this year, even without Magnus Carlsen. What do you think?

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Oh, definitely. Players like Ding Liren and Ian Nepomniachtchi really brought their A-game. And then, there was the Global Chess League. Such a unique team format, and you know, the Triveni Continental Kings—defending champions—led by Alireza Firouzja, came out on top again. It was electric to watch.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Just incredible. He’s so methodical, yet daring when needed. I mean, watching those games feels like a masterclass in calculated risks.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

But okay, okay, let’s talk about—and this is huge—India’s double gold performance in the Chess Olympiad! The Open and the women’s sections, both. India, just owning the Olympiad!

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

What can we even say? It was monumental. To clinch gold in both sections—it’s unprecedented and so inspiring. Honestly, the whole nation seemed to rally around their players. What a proud moment for Indian chess.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Absolutely. And the men’s team especially—they were unstoppable. Every board was solid, you know?

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Oh, no doubt. And this year overall... I mean, it feels like India has firmly established itself as one of the most dominant forces in chess. And you know what? I don’t think that momentum is stopping anytime soon. 2025 is gonna be just as exciting to watch.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Speaking of dominance, it’s hard to overstate India’s performance in the Olympiad—it really was the crown jewel of 2024. But wow, adding that to the rise of players like Gukesh and Faustino Oro? This year showed us the future of chess, clear as day.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

It’s been phenomenal. And, like, what excites me so much is that it feels like... well, it’s just the beginning of something more. With names like Gukesh already leading, and others hot on his heels, 2025 will be extraordinary.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Right? And the FIDE qualifiers are already lined up. The World Championship cycle is, like, building momentum, too. It’s honestly making me wonder—is 2025 gonna top this year?

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

It very well could. With more rising stars breaking through and legends like Carlsen and Ding continuing to push the limits, every tournament will be a spectacle. And new formats, too—they’re changing how we experience chess.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

New formats—that’s exciting! Do you think, though—and this is just me thinking out loud—chess is approaching this, like, golden moment again? You know, where it’s getting all this attention and buzz?

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Absolutely. Between the drama of classical chess, the unpredictability of blitz, and even the rise of online tournaments, it’s capturing imaginations globally. And these younger players are bringing a fresh energy... almost redefining what modern chess looks like.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Totally. It’s like, the pace is faster, the stakes feel higher... everything is just so alive right now in the world of chess.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Totally, and looking back, Chess 2024 has truly set the stage for what’s to come. This year has been nothing short of remarkable, from the history-making World Championship to the rise of the brightest young talents.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Indeed. It’s been... inspiring, to say the least. And looking back on all these thrilling moments, I think what stands out most is the passion and perseverance that chess continues to ignite—in players and fans alike.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Totally! And it’s not just the big names, you know? The sport is growing in so many amazing directions. Platforms like online blitz or even chess content creators. It feels like there’s something for everyone now.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Exactly. Chess, in its many forms, continues to evolve, keeping the momentum alive. And whether it’s on a classic board in a grand hall or on a screen during a furious blitz, the spirit of the game remains timeless.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

I love that. Timeless—that’s such a good way to put it.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

And hey, before we go, big thanks to everyone listening and sticking with us as we geeked out over chess this past year.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Yes, thank you. And remember, this is just the beginning. There’s always more to explore, more moves to study, and more matches to dissect.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Ooh, well said. Alright, everybody, that’s a wrap on Chess 2024. We’ll catch you in the next one. Happy chess-ing!

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Until next time, stay curious—and of course, keep those pieces moving. Goodbye for now and a Happy New Year!