Indian teenager Donnarumma Gukesh has become the youngest player to defeat Magnus Carlsen since the Norwegian became world champion nearly a decade ago.
Aged 16 years, four months and 20 days, Gukesh broke the previous record held by fellow countryman Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, who defeated the world champion in February when he was 16 years, six months and 10 days old.
“Obviously, beating Magnus is always special, but I wasn’t too proud of that game,” Gukesh said in a press release after defeating Carlsen at Aimchess Rapid on Sunday.
Carlsen appeared to be in control, two pawns more after the opening, until he made a major mistake on his 25th move that put his queen in jeopardy.
“I was really disappointed because I saw an easy way to win, but I thought I saw something even easier, but I didn’t see his threat to keep the queen in the middle of the board,” Carlsen said, according to Chess24.com.
Realizing the double threat to his king and queen, Carlsen spent nearly seven minutes weighing his options on his next move, visibly frustrated with himself.
He continued to play, swiveling in his chair and shaking his head, but he couldn’t undo the damage and resigned shortly afterwards.
It was Carlsen’s second defeat in two days to one of India’s teen grandmasters at Aimchess Rapid, after losing to 19-year-old Arjun Erigaisi.
On the first day of the tournament, the Norwegian star almost suffered another defeat to another 16-year-old Indian woman – Aditya Mittal –, but survived the two most dangerous moments to draw.
“Pragg is the only one I’ve lost to several times. As for Arjun and Gukesh: Arjun I usually win; Gukesh very similar,” Carlsen said later in a press release.
“I think Gukesh has been extremely impressive in classical chess recently. Perhaps that quick win wasn’t his proudest effort, even if getting a win is always good.”
Carlsen, who started the tournament looking for his fifth victory on the Meltwater Champions Chess Tour this year, also suffered a shock defeat to 18-year-old Shakhriyar Mamedyarov of Azerbaijan.
Source: CNN Brasil
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