Chess 960 – Congrats to Matthias Blübaum (top 2 German behind Vincent Keymer) who upset a supergrandmaster to get in the 2nd ever Chess 960 world championship in Iceland this month, half a century after the 1972 match of the century in Iceland with Bobby Fischer, who created chess 960.

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  1. # More info:

    1. [Chess 960 aka Fischer random chess is a variant of chess believed by many to be the future of chess.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fischer_random_chess) ( r/chess960 ) It emphasis middlegames and endgames and [eliminates openings](https://reddit.com/xmehid).
    2. The 1st ever official Chess 960 world championship was held in [2019](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIDE_World_Fischer_Random_Chess_Championship_2019). The 2nd will be held in [2022 Oct](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIDE_World_Fischer_Random_Chess_Championship_2022).
    3. Chess960 was created by Bobby Fischer known for the [1972 match of the century which was also in Iceland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Chess_Championship_1972).
    4. [Opening Understanding vs. Counterstrike Ability: Bluebaum (Blübaum) Defeats Navara](https://www.chess.com/news/view/2022-fischer-random-world-championship-qualifier-2-d3)
    5. Matthias Blübaum is a grandmaster and the top 2 German behind Vincent Keymer (see eg [German Bobby Fischer vs Magnus Carlsen](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDnx7w_xuguH3M73R17Xx_xI2MqhOw8ig) by popular chess youtuber agadmator for a game between [Vincent and world chess champion Magnus Carlsen](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNsJLVr5vp4)) but is not a superGM means at least 2700 peak rating:
    1. FIDE rating 2647 (September 2022)
    2. Peak rating 2674 (August 2021)
    6. David Navara is a superGM though and is rated about 40 pts higher! And yet Matthias beat David!
    1. FIDE rating 2681 (September 2022)
    2. Peak rating 2751 (May 2015)
    7. Vincent btw is 7 points away from superGM
    1. FIDE rating 2693 (September 2022)
    2. Peak rating 2693 (September 2022)
    8. Mirror: [Non-superGM Matthias Blübaum upsets superGM David Navara in 9LX. (2022Aug)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kshW8JgNOnI)
    9. [Wesley So set to defend his Fischer Random title](https://www.fide.com/news/2024):

    >Matthias Blübaum (2647) – Winner of the Online Knock-out Qualifier 2 at [Chess.com](https://Chess.com)

    10 – Actually Matthias is the only non-superGM here besides Hjörvar Steinn Grétarsson, (the top Icelandic player and who is very far in strength from the other 7 players is mainly just here because Iceland is hosting) to get in the chess 960 world championship. **Matthias is the only non-superGM to earn a spot in the chess 960 world championship!** Very nice!

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