American grandmaster Fabiano Caruana beat Russia’s Alexander Grischuk in the final round of the Berlin Candidates Championship to complete the 14-game double round-robin with nine points, one ahead of Azerbaijan’s Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Russia’s Sergey Karjakin.
He will now challenge for Magnus Carlsen’s world chess championship to be held in London from in November 9-28.
This is the same young talented boy who started his chess career around 6 at my Polgar Chess Center in NY. I'm so proud to see him grow as a person/player over the years! Now he'll be battling for the World Championship! Congrats to @FabianoCaruana & his family! @theworldchess pic.twitter.com/aYbgNxnOSY
— Susan Polgar (@SusanPolgar) March 27, 2018
Caruana, 25, led the eight-man field from start to finish and will be the first American to compete for a world championship since Bobby Fischer in 1972. He ended up with 9 points from 14 games.
This will also be the first world championship match with two players representing a Western country since Alekhine - Euwe in 1937.
Been great fun following the candidates as a chess fan. Congrats to Caruana on a fully deserved victory, and good luck in November!
— Magnus Carlsen (@MagnusCarlsen) March 27, 2018