Five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen is facing an unexpected threat to his 15-year stranglehold on the world No. 1 ranking, with American Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana closing the gap to less than eight rating points after a dramatic turn of events at the Total Chess World Championship Tour Pilot.Carlsen, who has held the top spot since July 2011, suffered a shock defeat to Armenia’s Haik Martirosyan on the third day of the Fast Classical competition, further denting his live rating and raising the possibility of losing his long-standing position.The 35-year-old Norwegian has endured a difficult campaign in the Fast Classical section, managing five draws and suffering one defeat. The results have cost him 15.8 rating points, taking his live rating down to 2807.2.In contrast, Caruana has been in outstanding form, winning five games and drawing two to gain 17 rating points. The American has climbed to 2800, leaving him just 7.2 points behind Carlsen in the live rankings.While FIDE publishes official monthly ratings, the live ratings reflect players’ performances in real time. With the gap narrowing rapidly, Carlsen’s position at the summit is increasingly under pressure.
Martirosyan stuns Carlsen in first classical meeting
Adding to Carlsen’s troubles, Martirosyan produced one of the biggest results of his career by defeating the Norwegian in their first-ever classical FIDE-rated encounter.Playing with the white pieces, the Armenian built a dangerous attacking position and eventually broke through to secure victory in 41 moves. Carlsen found himself in time trouble early in the game and was forced to make hurried decisions as the clock ticked down. A series of errors eventually left him with no option but to resign.The two players settled for a draw in the reverse fixture.Reflecting on the landmark victory, Martirosyan said: “It was a dream for me just to play him in a classical game but to win is even more special. I will think about this moment many times it is very special for me.”“It was an amazing day and I will remember this day for the rest of my life,” he added.The victory and subsequent draw took Martirosyan to 10 points, giving him the outright lead in Group C, while Carlsen slipped to fifth. The top four players from each group will advance to compete for the title, with the remaining participants contesting the classification section.
Erigaisi wins, Vaishali opens account
Meanwhile, India’s Arjun Erigaisi registered a win and a draw against American GM Wesley So.Erigaisi was under pressure in the opening game, with So initially enjoying a winning position. However, the American declined a draw before committing a decisive blunder and resigning a move later.“It was an interesting game. In the middle game I felt I did a very good job by sacrificing the exchange..partly I blundered also but then I got very good compensation, I had such good control. It shouldn’t have gone the way it did then I totally messed up. I did a good job of not panicking,” Erigaisi said.The reverse fixture ended in a draw, leaving the 23-year-old Indian third in Group D, behind leader Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Hans Niemann.R Vaishali also registered her first victory in the Fast Classical section, defeating Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva with the white pieces. However, Vaishali had lost their first game of the day and remains at the bottom of Group D.Her brother, R Praggnanandhaa, continued his winless run after drawing twice against Vladislav Artemiev. The Indian has four points from four draws and two defeats.
