Young Kerala GM Nihal tricks Carlsen into a draw with 20 seconds left
Nihal Sarin escaped with a draw in a time scramble but lost 2.5-0.5 against Magnus Carlsen in the quarterfinals of the Esports World Cup in Riyadh.
Nihal Sarin escaped with a draw in a time scramble but lost 2.5-0.5 against Magnus Carlsen in the quarterfinals of the Esports World Cup in Riyadh.
Nihal Sarin escaped with a draw in a time scramble but lost 2.5-0.5 against Magnus Carlsen in the quarterfinals of the Esports World Cup in Riyadh.
India's Malayali Grandmaster Nihal Sarin wasn't too upset despite getting knocked out in the quarterfinals of the Esports World Cup in Riyadh.
The 21-year-old from Thrissur was outsmarted by World No 1 Magnus Carlsen 2.5-0.5 Thursday evening. "It was my first time against Magnus in a match," said Nihal. "I wish him luck, not that he needs, but still," said the young Indian after his exit. "He is Magnus for a reason," he added.
Nihal, known for his quick thinking, showed why he is regarded as a speed demon by tricking Carlsen to play out repetitive moves for a draw in the first game.
The Esports event follows a Rapid format of 10 minutes per player without any increment, meaning the one whose time runs out is declared lost.
Nihal was down to 20 seconds in a rook endgame in their first meeting, and Carlsen had more than 2 minutes at his disposal. The young Indian's smart defending got him lucky, as his superstar opponent inadvertently repeated a series of moves to make a draw.
But Carlsen was back to his best in the next two games, winning with black and white pieces respectively to advance to the semifinals.
GM Arjun Erigaisi is the only remaining Indian in the contest following a thrilling 2.5-1.5 win over Ian Nepomniachtchi in another quarterfinal.