India’s 9-year-old chess prodigy, Aarit, claimed an intense draw against the world No. 1 chess player, Magnus Carlsen, in the ‘Early Titled Tuesday’ online tournament.
In a herculean feat, Aarit was not only able to hold his ground against a player as intimidating as Magnus but also maintained a stronger position for the larger duration of the game.
Residing in Delhi, Aarit, who recently wrapped up the Under-9 National Championship as runner-up, showcased remarkable calculation and tactical knowledge. Presently playing in the Under-10 World Championship in Georgia. Aarit had cornered Carlsen for the length of the game as he entered the endgame with a distinct advantage over Carlsen.
However, due to time pressure towards the endgame, he was unable to convert his winning position. Despite missing a win due to time pressure, Aarit Kapil’s draw against Magnus Carlsen is a monumental achievement. The 9-year-old Indian prodigy, with a rook against Carlsen’s two minor pieces, pushed the chess legend to the brink, a feat few, especially at such a young age, have accomplished.
Kapil also made headlines last year when the country’s resident chess wunderkind became the youngest Indian to defeat a Grandmaster at the KIIT International Open tournament in Bhubaneswar last year.
Aarit Kapil’s stint at the Under-10 World Championship
Chess experts noted that Kapil’s game showcased an understanding of positional play and endgame tactics rare for his age. In the opening rounds of the World U-10 Championship in Georgia, he has already won both matches, further raising expectations.
The Early Titled Tuesday chess tournament witnessed yet another moment of Indian brilliance as V Pranav emerged victorious, finishing with a commanding 10 points out of a possible 11. Meanwhile, both Carlsen and Niemann concluded the event with 9.5 points each, but it was Niemann who claimed the runner-up spot based on a superior tiebreak score. Carlsen, despite a strong performance, was relegated to third.
Magnus breaks yet another record
Magnus Carlsen also scripted history last week by surpassing the 2900 rating mark in freestyle chess, making him the first player to accomplish this feat across all formats. The ratings are calculated based on his performances across five major tournaments held between 2024 and 2025 and are managed by the Freestyle Chess organisation.