GM Alireza Firouzja claimed the 2026 Super Rapid & Blitz Croatia title by defeating GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov in an armageddon playoff game. The Frenchman overcame a disastrous second day to tie for first place on 23.5 points before prevailing in the decider.
The event concluded on July 5 in Zagreb after five days of competition at the Westin Hotel. Firouzja had built a three-point lead after scoring 8/9 on day one but slumped to 2/7 on day two.
He rescued a lost position against GM Gukesh Dommaraju in round 17 to stay in contention and forced a tie with a final-round draw against Abdusattorov. The two then split two rapid tiebreak games before the armageddon decider.
"Today is the worst blitz day of my life," Firouzja said after the event. He added that the victory was tougher than previous Grand Chess Tour successes but one he would accept.
Abdusattorov finished second while GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu and GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave shared third place. The tournament formed the third leg of the 2026 Grand Chess Tour.