The Decisive Encounter: Round 9
Facing Carlsen’s Sicilian Defence (French Variation), the 22-year-old Indian displayed the “pragmatic yet aggressive” style that has become his trademark.
- The Tactical Error: The position shifted in Erigaisi’s favor when Carlsen’s bishop retreated to c2 and his knight moved to d2. This allowed Erigaisi to capture the b2 pawn and seize the initiative.
- The Time Pressure: While Carlsen managed to regain the material, he could not recover the clock advantage. Under extreme pressure, the “Mozart of Chess” collapsed, losing on time.
- The Frustration: Visibly shaken, Carlsen slammed the table—a repeat of his viral reaction against another Indian prodigy, D Gukesh, earlier this year in Norway.
Standings After Day 1 (11 Rounds)
Arjun Erigaisi’s phenomenal run included eight wins, two draws, and just one loss. After defeating Carlsen and Uzbek star Nodirbek Abdusattorov, he was held to a draw by Fabiano Caruana in Round 11.
| Rank | Player | Points |
| 1st (Joint) | Arjun Erigaisi (IND) | 9.0 |
| 1st (Joint) | Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) | 9.0 |
| 3rd | Daniil Dubov (FID) | 8.5 |
| 4th | Fabiano Caruana (USA) | 8.5 |
| 5th | Yu Yangyi (CHN) | 8.5 |
| 6th | Magnus Carlsen (NOR) | 8.0 |
Other Indian Performers
While Erigaisi dominates the top, other Indian heavyweights are fighting to climb back:
- Sunilduth Narayanan: Tied for 6th place with 8 points.
- D Gukesh & R Praggnanandhaa: Both are currently on 7.5 points, part of a dense pack tied for 14th position.
The Rise of Arjun Erigaisi
This victory marks the second time in 2025 that Erigaisi has defeated Carlsen, following his win in the classical format at Norway Chess. Having recently secured a bronze medal in the World Rapid Championship on Sunday, Erigaisi is now the frontrunner to claim the Blitz title on the final day of competition.