Magnus Carlsen shows his magic on the board, turning the heat against Arjun Erigaisi

Magnus Carlsen showcased his brilliance with a commanding victory over Arjun Erigaisi in Round 6 of the Tata Steel India Chess Tournament, held at the Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium in Kolkata. Carlsen, playing with the black pieces, defeated Erigaisi in just 40 moves. The victory was particularly notable as it came against Erigaisi, the newest entrant to the elite 2800-rating club, highlighting the Norwegian's continued dominance in the chess world. Opting for the Taimanov variation of the Sicilian Defence, Carlsen began gaining a time advantage as early as the 11th move. While he maintained nearly 23 minutes on the clock, Erigaisi’s time dwindled to just 15 minutes, indicating the growing pressure on the young Indian grandmaster in this rapid game.

Carlsen's steady and precise play allowed him to maintain control, forcing Erigaisi into difficult positions. The tournament’s live broadcast provided an interesting glimpse into Carlsen’s demeanor during the game. At one point, he was seen leaning back and yawning, seemingly relaxed, while his opponent was deeply engrossed in navigating the complexities of the position. As Erigaisi faced another critical decision, Carlsen leaned casually to one side of his chair, appearing slightly bored, a testament to his confidence and composure under pressure.

The game between Magnus Carlsen and Arjun Erigaisi was marked by aggressive play, with all four knights eliminated from the board within the first 13 moves. Both players looked to take the initiative, but Carlsen gradually established control. By the 21st move, Carlsen’s queen was ominously positioned, targeting Arjun’s king, which was left vulnerable behind a thin shield of just two pawns. The World No. 1 created significant tension on the queen-side and maintained a dominant time advantage, with over 14 minutes on his clock compared to Arjun’s seven. The mounting pressure left the young Indian grandmaster struggling to keep up in the rapid format.

The critical moment came on move 31, when Arjun made a costly error, placing his rook on the third rank in front of his king, leaving Carlsen’s h-file pawn free to march toward promotion. This misstep allowed Carlsen to gain a decisive advantage, forcing Arjun into a material imbalance he couldn’t recover from. With his time dwindling to mere seconds and Carlsen’s pieces relentlessly attacking his king, Arjun’s defense eventually collapsed. On move 40, facing an unstoppable onslaught, Arjun resigned, conceding the game to Carlsen’s flawless performance.

Arjun Erigaisi, the 21-year-old chess prodigy from Warangal, has enjoyed a stellar season despite his setback against Magnus Carlsen. Ranked World No. 3 in the official FIDE rankings, Erigaisi recently achieved the coveted 2800-rating mark in live ratings, joining an elite group of players. Earlier this year, he brought glory to India by winning an individual gold medal on the third board at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest, solidifying his reputation as one of the brightest talents in the chess world.

However, Thursday’s games at the Tata Steel India Chess Tournament proved challenging for the Indian contingent. Arjun Erigaisi, along with compatriots Nihal Sarin and Vidit Gujrathi, sits at the bottom of the 10-player standings, each with two points. Despite their struggles, the trio’s participation highlights the depth of talent in Indian chess and their potential to bounce back in future rounds. Meanwhile, Magnus Carlsen continues to dominate the tournament. After a commanding win against Erigaisi, the World No. 1 enters Friday as the sole leader in the open section with five points. As the competition progresses, all eyes will remain on Carlsen’s consistent brilliance and the Indian players’ efforts to regain momentum.