Magnus Carlsen Archives - National Times

20 Aug

Anand-Kasparov Rivalry Rekindles in St Louis; Gukesh to Face Carlsen in October Chess Showdowns

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsClutch Chess, D Gukesh, Garry Kasparov, Magnus Carlsen, St Louis Chess Club, Viswanathan Anand

New Delhi, August 20, 2025: Chess fans are set for a historic autumn as legendary battles take center stage in St Louis, USA. Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand will renew his classic rivalry with Russian icon Garry Kasparov, while reigning world champion D Gukesh takes on Magnus Carlsen in a series of high-profile Clutch Chess exhibition matches this October.Anand and Kasparov, who last met in 2021 at the Croatia Rapid and Blitz in Zagreb where the Indian emerged victorious, will square off again from October 7 to 11. The two giants have clashed 82 times in their storied careers, with…

21 Jul

Freestyle Chess Grand Slam: Aronian Wins Title, Arjun and Praggnanandhaa Finish Sixth and Seventh

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusinessArjun Erigaisi, Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, Levon Aronian, Magnus Carlsen, R Praggnanandhaa

National Times Bureau, July 21, 2025: Grandmaster Levon Aronian of the United States claimed the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam title after a tense 1.5-0.5 win over compatriot Hans Moke Niemann in the finals. The American star pocketed $200,000 for his victory, capping off an intense competition that featured some of the world's top chess players.India's Arjun Erigaisi and R Praggnanandhaa, who had both impressed in earlier rounds, finished sixth and seventh respectively. Arjun suffered a 0-2 defeat to American GM Fabiano Caruana, while Praggnanandhaa beat Wesley So 1.5-0.5 to end his campaign on a high note. Arjun earned $40,000 for…

18 Jul

Arjun Erigaisi Powers Into Semis, Praggnanandhaa Falls to Caruana in Freestyle Grand Slam

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsArjun Erigaisi, Fabiano Caruana, Freestyle Grand Slam Tour, Magnus Carlsen, Praggnanandhaa

National Times Bureau, July 18, 2025: Chennai’s Arjun Erigaisi stormed into the semifinals of the prestigious USD 750,000 Freestyle Grand Slam Tour with a dominant victory over Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov. The 20-year-old Indian Grandmaster secured the match 1.5-0.5, displaying top form and clinical precision.In contrast, fellow Indian star R Praggnanandhaa bowed out of the title race after a marathon 3-4 loss to the USA’s Fabiano Caruana. The seven-game thriller saw Praggnanandhaa take the lead on three occasions, but Caruana’s resilience helped him snatch victory in the decider.Arjun was unstoppable against Abdusattorov, maintaining an edge from the opening in both games.…

17 Jul

Praggnanandhaa Stuns Carlsen, Enters Freestyle Grand Slam Quarterfinals with Erigaisi

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsArjun Erigaisi, Freestyle Grand Slam Tour, Magnus Carlsen, R Praggnanandhaa

National Times Bureau, July 17: R Praggnanandhaa pulled off a stunning win against world number one Magnus Carlsen, advancing to the top-bracket quarterfinals of the USD 750,000 Freestyle Grand Slam Tour. Fellow Indian Arjun Erigaisi also secured a quarterfinal spot, marking a strong showing for India in the prestigious chess event.The 19-year-old Praggnanandhaa displayed precise tactical play from the outset, seizing the initiative and keeping the pressure on Carlsen. Despite the Norwegian getting some chances, the Indian teenager broke through with creative piece play, securing a memorable win.Carlsen’s defeat sparked a downward spiral. He lost to Wesley So in the…

04 Jul

Gukesh Beats Carlsen Again as Norwegian Ace Admits He’s ‘Not Enjoying Chess’

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportschess, Gukesh, Magnus Carlsen, SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz

Zagreb, July 4 — India's D Gukesh delivered another masterclass against world number one Magnus Carlsen, defeating the Norwegian in the rapid format at the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz tournament on Thursday. This marks the 19-year-old Grandmaster’s second consecutive win over Carlsen in less than a month, following a memorable victory in classical play at the Norway Chess tournament.The latest defeat prompted Carlsen to express deep frustration with his current form and relationship with the game. “Honestly, I am not enjoying playing chess at all right now,” he admitted during a post-match interview with Take Take Take. “I just don’t…

02 Jun

World Champion Gukesh Shocks Magnus Carlsen in Norway Chess 2025 Thriller

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsD Gukesh, Magnus Carlsen, Norway Chess 2025, World Champion

Stavanger (Norway), June 2, 2025 — In a landmark victory, reigning World Chess Champion Dommaraju Gukesh defeated former World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in Round 6 of Norway Chess 2025, marking his first-ever classical win over the Norwegian legend. The 19-year-old Indian grandmaster turned the game around from a losing position in a dramatic encounter on Sunday.With this triumph, Gukesh became only the second Indian to beat Carlsen in a classical game at the Norway Chess tournament, following in the footsteps of Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa.Carlsen controlled much of the match, pressing from a superior position, but Gukesh held his nerve and…

15 Feb

D Gukesh Finishes Last in Freestyle Chess Grand Slam

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsD Gukesh, Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, Magnus Carlsen, Vincent Keymer

Weissenhaus, Germany, February 17, 2025 – World champion D Gukesh ended his Freestyle Chess Grand Slam campaign in last place after losing his seventh-place playoff to Alireza Firouzja. Gukesh Struggles Throughout Tournament After a draw on the first day, Gukesh had a chance to make a comeback but lost in just 30 moves. A mid-game mistake forced him to give up his queen, allowing Firouzja to secure victory. The defeat meant Gukesh concluded the tournament without a single win. Vincent Keymer Shocks Fabiano Caruana to Win Title In a surprising outcome, Germany’s Vincent Keymer defeated Fabiano Caruana to win the…