3 min learnUp to date: Jun 18, 2026 11:49 PM IST
Simply days after R. Praggnanandhaa’s spectacular exploits at Norway Chess 2026, the place he defeated Magnus Carlsen twice, one other Indian has struck a blow towards the five-time World Champion. Arjun Erigaisi tasted victory over Carlsen throughout the second day of the FIDE World Fast and Blitz Group Championship 2026 in Hong Kong.
Arjun, representing defending Fast workforce champions MGD1, performed on high board towards a star-studded WR Chess aspect, who had been sizzling favourites and led by Carlsen on Board No. 1.
Within the sixth spherical of the Fast occasion, Arjun was pitted towards Carlsen, and his win helped MGD1 defeat WR Chess in a high-octane conflict.
In a wild Queen’s Gambit Declined recreation, an uncharacteristic rook blunder by Carlsen proved decisive. The Norwegian had earlier sacrificed his bishop in desperation to achieve an edge, however a queen b6 verify from Arjun ensured the benefit stayed with the Indian.
Arjun admitted he initially thought he had missed one thing when Carlsen launched the aggressive bishop takes e6 sacrifice. Nevertheless, he rapidly discovered the precise sequence.
“It bought actually fascinating after that. I noticed it however I didn’t actually assume it will work. However after he took, I first thought I missed one thing, however then I discovered this direct queen b6 verify. I imagine I’m higher, but it surely’s not that clear. In the long run, I believe rook d8 was fairly vital, sacking again the trade,” Arjun informed FIDE.
“I believe it was nonetheless superb for him at that time, however there have been loads of threats. In time strain, with the weak king, it wasn’t simple for him to play,” he added.
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When Carlsen sacrificed his piece, Arjun responded immediately and assessed the place with readability.
“I imply, I needed to take again the piece. I had no different choice, so I took that transfer instantly. Then the choices had been whether or not to maneuver the rook or first give the verify. I used to be contemplating the rook transfer for lots of time, however then I noticed it was not working. Then I realised it was sensible to offer the verify first, after which I’m doing nicely,” he analysed.
Arjun sacked again his rook earlier than Carlsen blundered his rook and finally resigned on the thirtieth transfer.
With Aryan Abhijeet Shah’s victory over Wadim Rosenstein and Arjun’s win over Carlsen, MGD1 defeated WR Chess 3.5-2.5.
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The 2026 FIDE World Fast and Blitz Group Championships are being held from June 17 to 21 in Hong Kong, with practically 50 groups of six gamers competing. Every workforce is that includes not less than one feminine participant and one “leisure participant,” who has by no means been rated 2000 or above. The Fast occasion is a 12-round Swiss with a time management of quarter-hour for all strikes, plus a 10-second increment per transfer.