Arjun delivers shock defeat to World No.1
Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi delivered a stunning blow to World No.1 Magnus Carlsen at the FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship in Doha. Playing with the black pieces, Arjun outplayed the defending champion in the ninth round, showcasing exceptional endgame precision. The victory immediately grabbed global attention and marked one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.
Carlsen loses cool after defeat
However, the match drew attention not just for the result, but also for Carlsen’s reaction. Visibly frustrated after the loss, the Norwegian star slammed the table in anger. Soon after, the video clip spread rapidly across social media. Chess fans dubbed the incident “Carlsen Outburst 2.0,” recalling his earlier emotional reaction after losing to Gukesh at the Norway Chess Tournament in June.
Arjun continues strong run
Meanwhile, Arjun did not stop with just one big win. In the very next round, he defeated Uzbekistan Grandmaster Nodirbek Abdusatorov, strengthening his position in the standings. After 11 rounds, Arjun stands as joint leader with 9 points, alongside France’s Maxime Vachier-Lagrave.
Tight race at the top
At present, Magnus Carlsen, Alireza Firouzja, and India’s Sunilduth Narayanan share sixth place with 8 points each. Young Indian stars Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa follow closely in 14th position with 7.5 points. Despite the setback, Carlsen still remains in contention for the title.
Semifinal spots at stake
Importantly, the top four players after the final rounds on Tuesday will qualify for the semifinals. With the points table tightly packed, every game now carries massive significance as the championship heads toward a thrilling finish.
Oops!…He Did It Again#RapidBlitz pic.twitter.com/O5N5CWoO2f
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 29, 2025
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