Indian chess star forces world champion into dramatic time-trouble blunder
Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi has once again proved why he is considered one of the most dangerous players in world chess. During a high-stakes Round 9 encounter at the FIDE World Blitz Championship in Doha, Erigaisi delivered a shocking defeat to the legendary Magnus Carlsen, leaving the Norwegian star visibly shaken.
The match reached a heart-stopping conclusion as both players battled the ticking clock. Under immense pressure, Carlsen fumbled his queen while attempting a rapid move, causing the piece to clatter onto the floor. By the time he tried to retrieve it, his time had expired. This rare lapse gave Erigaisi a massive victory over the world’s top-ranked player.
Carlsen’s reaction was one of pure frustration. He slammed his balled-up fist onto the table before storming away, a scene reminiscent of his loss to Gukesh earlier this year. While Carlsen showed his anger, Arjun Erigaisi remained perfectly calm, quietly resetting the board after one of the biggest wins of his career.
Carlsen has previously described Erigaisi as a "mad man" on the chessboard, referring to the Indian’s rare appetite for risk. Unlike many elite players who prefer "safe" draws, Erigaisi is known for pushing for a win even when it puts his own position at risk. His coach, Srinath Narayanan, notes that this fearless ambition is what sets him apart from his peers.
This victory is even more significant given their recent history. Just days ago, Carlsen took gold at the World Rapid Championship while Arjun secured a prestigious bronze. By defeating the "King of Chess" in the blitz format, Arjun has signaled that he is ready to dominate the shortest format of the game as well.
Currently, Arjun Erigaisi sits at the top of the leaderboard with 10 points, sharing the lead with Fabiano Caruana and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. With only a few rounds remaining, chess enthusiasts in Odisha and across India are closely watching to see if Erigaisi can clinch the world title.
