Titled Tuesday Sets Participation Record for Third Straight Week, Hikaru Nakamura Wins Second Consecutive Title

Titled Tuesday, the weekly tournament for titled players on Chess.com, continues to break participation records. On January 21, a total of 996 players joined the event, marking the third consecutive week of setting a new record during the doubles era. The tournament saw intense competition, with Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura emerging victorious for the second week in a row after tiebreaks against Grandmaster David Paravyan.

Despite the impressive turnout, the tournament fell just short of reaching 1,000 players, which would have triggered an expanded prize fund. The anticipation for the milestone is high, and players are eager to compete for the increased rewards.

In the early tournament, Nakamura showcased his skills by starting with a perfect 5/5 score before facing tough competition from other top players. Ultimately, he secured the win by defeating Grandmaster Hans Niemann in a grueling 124-move battle.

In the late tournament, Grandmaster Vugar Rasulov emerged as the victor after a strong performance, overcoming challenges from players like Adam Kozak and Fabiano Caruana. Rasulov’s strategic play and determination led him to claim the top spot in the tournament.

With the Grand Prix standings in play, every tournament is crucial for players looking to secure a spot in the prestigious event. Nakamura, Matthias Bluebaum, and Grigoriy Oparin currently hold the top positions in the standings, showcasing their consistency and skill in the Titled Tuesday events.

As the competition heats up and players continue to push their limits, the excitement surrounding Titled Tuesday is at an all-time high. With the promise of doubled prize pools for future tournaments with over 1,000 participants, the stakes are higher than ever, and players are ready to bring their A-game to the virtual chessboard.