Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The 16th world champion, world ranking leader, Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen defended the title of world blitz champion at a tournament taking place in Samarkand (Uzbekistan). In total, this is the seventh such title for the 33-year-old Norwegian.

Over 21 rounds of the competition, Carlsen scored 16 points. His closest pursuer is Russian Daniil Dubov - 15.5. The top three was rounded out by another Russian, Vladislav Artemyev (he has 15 points).

At the World Rapid Championship held in Samarkand, Carlsen also managed to defend last year’s title. That is, the Norwegian scored a “golden double” at the World Rapid and Blitz Championship for the second year in a row (and the fourth in his career).

Among the Uzbek chess players, the best result was shown by Shamsiddin Vokhidov, who took 29th place. Nodirbek Yakubboev took 40th place, Zhavokhir Sindarov - 49th, Nodirbek Abdusattorov - 60th, Jakhongir Vakhidov - 76th.