New Delhi, June 25 — In a moment that sent ripples through the global chess community, 9-year-old Indian chess prodigy Aarit Kapil came remarkably close to defeating Norwegian legend Magnus Carlsen in an intense online blitz match during the “Early Titled Tuesday” tournament.
Aarit, currently participating in the Under-10 World Chess Championship in Georgia, played the game remotely from his hotel room. Despite the age gap and rating disparity, the young Indian showcased incredible composure, strategy, and tactical brilliance to outplay the former World Champion for most of the match.
Observers noted that Carlsen was clearly on the ropes, having landed in a completely lost position by the middle game. Aarit, playing with surgical precision, converted his advantage into a rook-versus-two minor pieces endgame, traditionally a winning setup. But with the clock ticking down rapidly in the fast-paced blitz format, Aarit ran out of time before he could convert the position to a win, and the game ended in a draw.
The chess world responded with awe. Many titled players and coaches praised Aarit’s deep understanding of the game, especially given his age. Though the game was drawn, the moral victory belonged to the young challenger.
This isn’t the first time Aarit has made headlines. In December 2024, he became the youngest Indian to beat a Grandmaster in classical chess, defeating GM Raset Ziatdinov at the KIIT International Open. Since then, he has continued to climb the chess ladder, earning the Candidate Master (CM) title in 2025 and finishing runner-up at the Under-9 National Championship.
Aarit’s current FIDE rating stands at around 1825, and experts believe it’s only a matter of time before he crosses the 2000 mark, en route to the international master and grandmaster titles.
While Magnus Carlsen eventually finished in joint third place in the tournament with 9.5/11, it was Indian GM V. Pranav who claimed the top spot with a dominant 10/11 score.
As for Aarit, he has already started his Under-10 World Championship campaign with two consecutive wins. If his current form continues, India could be witnessing the rise of its next global chess sensation.
What happened on the board against Carlsen wasn’t just a draw—it was a declaration. Aarit Kapil is no longer just a promising youngster. He is a serious player with the nerves, talent, and vision to challenge the best in the world.
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