Top 10 Best Chess Games of 2024: A Year of Brilliance and Complexity
In the world of chess, 2024 was a year filled with excitement, surprises, and brilliant moves. From unexpected opening ideas to devastating attacks, the year was a showcase of the best that the game has to offer. As a dedicated chess enthusiast, I spent countless hours analyzing the top games from the main tournaments, and now it’s time to present my ranking of the 10 best games of 2024.
Creating this list was no easy task, as the level of play in 2024 was exceptionally high. I was drawn to games that showcased the complexity of the battle, where players navigated through unknown territories and unleashed hidden ideas on the board. The final list represents a mix of creativity, strategy, and sheer brilliance that left a lasting impression on me.
Starting off the list at number 10 is the game between Amin Tabatabaei and Praggnanandhaa at the European Chess Club Cup. Tabatabaei’s creative style and Praggnanandhaa’s potential as a future chess star made this game a must-watch, with a complicated opening, a dynamic middlegame, and a thrilling king hunt in the end.
Moving on to number 9, we have Ian Nepomniachtchi’s impressive victory over Anish Giri at the Sinquefield Cup. Nepomniachtchi’s unorthodox opening play and Giri’s solid defense set the stage for a tactical battle that showcased the evolving nature of modern chess.
At number 8, Anna Sargsyan’s brilliant attack against Lu Miaoyi at the Women’s Chess Olympiad takes the spotlight. Despite not being played by top GMs, this game stood out for its unexpected maneuvers and tactical finesse, proving that chess brilliance knows no boundaries.
Magnus Carlsen makes an appearance at number 7 with his victory over Richard Rapport at the GRENKE Chess Classic. The game featured a tense positional struggle that culminated in a zugzwang position, highlighting Carlsen’s mastery over complex endgames.
The game between Gukesh Dommaraju and Ding Liren at the World Championship Game 1 takes the number 6 spot, showcasing Ding’s resilience and Gukesh’s fighting spirit in a riveting battle that set the tone for the championship match.
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave’s win over Ian Nepomniachtchi at the Julius Baer Generation Cup CCT lands at number 5, with Vachier-Lagrave breaking through Nepomniachtchi’s solid defense with a brilliant attack that left a lasting impression on chess fans.
Wei Yi’s daring rook sacrifice against Max Warmerdam at the Tata Steel Chess Masters 2024 secures the number 4 spot, highlighting the importance of intuition and bravery in navigating complex positions.
Nodirbek Abdusattorov’s stunning combination against Parham Maghsoodloo at the Tata Steel Chess Masters 2024 takes the number 3 spot, showcasing Abdusattorov’s tactical prowess and ability to capitalize on his opponent’s mistakes.
Vladimir Fedoseev and Saleh Salem’s mesmerizing battle at the Sharjah Masters 2024 claims the number 2 spot, with a game full of twists and turns that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
And finally, the top spot goes to Gukesh Dommaraju’s decisive win over Wei in the Chess Olympiad. The game, filled with tension and a composition-like endgame, highlighted Gukesh’s determination and skill, setting the stage for his future success as a world champion.
As we look forward to more great games in 2025, the games of 2024 will be remembered for their creativity, complexity, and sheer brilliance that captivated chess enthusiasts around the world.