The year 2023 has seen Caruana reign supreme over the Grand Chess Tour. Not only did he win the tour, but he also emerged victorious in three of the four tournaments he participated in, including the Superbet Classic in Romania, the Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz, and the Sinquefield Cup.

Grandmaster Leinier Dominguez secured the runner-up position with a draw against Grandmaster Levon Aronian. Grandmaster Wesley So claimed the third spot, concluding his participation in the eighth round.

Entering the last round with his spot in the Candidates Tournament already confirmed and the Grand Chess Tour title in hand, Caruana was poised for one final achievement.

In a critical game moment, Rapport’s daring pawn move, 21…c5!?, was expertly countered by Caruana, who navigated the complex tactics to secure a commanding position in the endgame, leveraging his advanced passed pawn. Caruana expressed confidence in his endgame position, citing the absence of risk for White and the potential danger for his opponent due to the awkward positioning of his knights.

As the endgame intensified and time became a factor, Rapport endeavored to establish a defensive line. However, Caruana’s relentless pressure eventually penetrated his defenses, leading to victory.

Caruana’s triumph was not just about the title but also a substantial financial reward, with a combined prize of $200,000 for the Sinquefield Cup and the Grand Chess Tour. Reflecting on his incredible performance, Caruana recalled the previous year’s achievements by Alireza Firouzja and his own disbelief at the possibility of replicating such a feat. Yet, in a turn of fate, he accomplished just that.

This remarkable win has elevated Caruana’s classical chess rating to 2804, ensuring his ranking will exceed 2800 in the January 2024 list, a milestone he hasn’t reached in over two years.