Magnus Carlsen Endures Career-Worst Losing Streak in Hong Kong
Magnus Carlsen experienced one of the worst runs of his career at the World Rapid and Blitz Championships in Hong Kong, losing four games in a row to grandmasters from India, Armenia, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan. The Norwegian world No. 1, leading the WR Chess team, faced a series of defeats that saw him sit out multiple rounds.
The tournament, with a prize fund of €500,000, attracted strong national teams and highlighted the growing chess boom in Asia. Dragon Chilling, a Chinese team, won the gold medals in the World Teams Rapid, showcasing the region's rising talent.
Asian Teams Shine
Dragon Chilling, MGD1, and Hexamind tied for first place with 18 out of 24 points, with the Chinese team taking gold on tie-break. The strong performance by Asian teams underscores the enthusiasm sparked by recent world champions from China and India.
Carlsen's Setbacks
Carlsen's losses included defeats to Arjun Erigaisi of India, Shant Sargsyan of Armenia, Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan, and Aydin Suleymanli of Azerbaijan. He sat out rounds 8, 11, and 12 after these painful results.
Other Highlights
England's Nigel Short, now 61, represented Qatar and scored 5 out of 8 with a 2540 performance rating. The Hans Niemann vs. Ian Nepomniachtchi feud continued, with Nepo refusing to shake hands and defeating Niemann in their game at the UzChess Cup.
Live commentary by England's David Howell is available at fide.com starting around 7:15 am BST on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
