Karthikeyan Murali Shines Bright, Third Indian Chess Player to Defeat Magnus Carlsen

At the Qatar Masters tournament, India’s Karthikeyan Murali emerged victorious over the reigning World No. 1 chess player, Magnus Carlsen. Murali’s exceptional win places him in a prestigious league alongside two other Indian chess legends who have previously triumphed over the Norwegian grandmaster.

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The victory was achieved in a round-robin contest, with Murali remarkably playing with the black pieces during the crucial seventh round. This triumph marks the third time that a chess player from India has managed to conquer Magnus Carlsen in classical chess.

Previously, the Indian chess fraternity celebrated the achievements of the legendary Viswanathan Anand, a 5-time world champion, and Pentala Harikrishna. Notably, Hari had scripted his victory over Carlsen at the age of 14, back in 2005, displaying his prodigious talent.

The encounter between Murali and Carlsen was nothing short of intense, characterized by daring moves and a palpable sense of anticipation. Carlsen took a strategic gamble that ultimately backfired, while Murali’s unwavering determination in the face of severe time constraints paid off. He consistently found solid moves mere seconds before his allotted time ran out, showcasing nerves of steel and a deep understanding of the game.

Reflecting on his historic win, Karthikeyan Murali expressed his excitement at playing against Magnus Carlsen for the first time. He described the game as a thrilling experience, even though Carlsen held an advantage in the opening phase. Murali’s strategy was to complicate matters, and his tactical approach proved effective in the end.

Murali also shed light on the challenges of playing under severe time pressure, emphasizing his determination not to make any blunders in critical moments.

For Magnus Carlsen, the Qatar Masters tournament has been somewhat tumultuous, with a notable loss to 23-year-old Kazakh GM Alisher Suleymenov last week. Carlsen publicly admitted that he was thrown off his game by his opponent’s unconventional decision to wear a watch during the match, leading to a loss of concentration.

The Qatar Masters tournament boasts a formidable lineup of players, including notable names like Hikaru Nakamura, Anish Giri, and Nodirbek Abdusattorov. The charge for India in this prestigious event is being led by young talents Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi.

As the tournament progresses, the chess world eagerly awaits more exciting encounters and upsets, with Karthikeyan Murali’s remarkable victory serving as a testament to the rising prowess of Indian chess players on the international stage.