The International Chess Federation celebrated its 100th anniversary by organising the first World Rapid & Blitz Championships in New York City. The world’s best players have gathered on Wall Street to compete in rapid and blitz chess between Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year celebrations.
Sponsored by Freedom Holding Corp., a company listed on the Nasdaq, the championship celebrated the attributes that make a chess player exceptional while highlighting the game’s enduring appeal. The event’s larger message—that strategic thinking, perseverance, and creativity are the keys to success not only in chess but in life. Known for its commitment to fostering innovation and talent across diverse fields, Freedom Holding’s support of chess aligns with its philosophy of strategic thinking and calculated risk-taking.
“Chess is a game that epitomizes the values we hold dear: intelligence, resilience, and foresight,” said Timur Turlov, founder and CEO of Freedom Holding. “We are proud to support an event that not only celebrates these qualities but also inspires millions to strive for excellence.”
On the break day between the exciting Rapid and Blitz competitions, Freedom Holding has hosted the Wall Street Gambit, a conference on the links between chess and finance. Some of the participants have taken on the grandmasters — the strongest players in the world. Timur Turlov himself played the Norwegian superstar Magnus Carlsen. Timur Turlov lost, not by checkmate, but because his time ran out.
“I will never be a grandmaster,” said Timur Turlov, who started playing at the same time as his children, which he acknowledges was too late. “To be successful, you have to start young, maybe at the age of five,” agreed Emil Sutovsky, the CEO of FIDE.
The 18-year-old Grandmaster Volodar Murzin has put in an outstanding performance, securing seven wins and six draws, with no defeats. This impressive run has put him at the top of the Open category, and his $90,000 prize money is provided by the main sponsor.
For those dreaming of becoming grandmasters, the path is arduous and requires early dedication. If anyone is thinking that unlike Timur Turlov, they could win the game against a grandmaster, such a possibility is slim to none. Unlike some other games, chess has no random elements such as dice rolls or shuffled cards to introduce pure chance; it is fundamentally a game of skill, strategy, and calculation.
The New York Chess Championships were not just about the battle for the board; they were a celebration of human intellect and perseverance.
How does one become a great chess player? The best players are adept at spotting patterns on the board; they can quickly identify recurring trends and adjust their strategies accordingly. Elite
players are also known for their ability to predict and calculate move and countermove sequences. In addition to having outstanding short- and long-term memory, grandmasters are able to remember thousands of games and variants while monitoring changing positions.
However, psychological resilience is also necessary, and it’s also crucial to be able to remain composed, creative, and inventive as well as recover from trying situations. As Timur Turlov explained,”When I am tired and feel some fear my decision-making qualities are much worse, and when I’m in a good mood, I can decide much better. Sometimes it is better to postpone a game and not make moves when tired.”
Timur Turlov believes that chess teaches us to face fears, make moves, make decisions, and try to predict how your opponent will react. Unlike playing with the grandmaster Carlsen, he sometimes wins when playing with his children, who were lucky to have an early start.