Qatar Masters 2023 R7: Magnus Carlsen crumbles against Karthikeyan Murali
by Shahid Ahmed - 19/10/2023
Karthikeyan Murali made the most out of his opportunity against the World no.1. The FIDE World Cup 2023 winner made an unforced error when he decided to give up two of his minor pieces for a rook. The Norwegian never got any compensation for it. Karthikeyan managed to convert his advantage into a full point. This win almost ensures that Carlsen is highly unlikely to defend his Qatar Masters title. After Vishy Anand and Pentala Harikrishna, Karthikeyan became the third Indian to beat Magnus Carlsen in a Classical rated game. With this win, Karthikeyan joins S L Narayanan, Javokhir Sindarov (UZB), Arjun Erigaisi, David Paravyan and Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB) in a six-pack lead. Round 8 starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy
Karthikeyan becomes the third Indian to beat Carlsen in a Classical rated game
Since Magnus Carlsen became World no.1, Vishy Anand has been the only Indian to beat him in a Classical rated game. Thus, Karthikeyan Murali became the second Indian to achieve that feat. IM Vaishali R drew against GM Aditya Mittal to continue her quest towards the final GM-norm.
Karthikeyan Murali got into the lead by beating none other than the World no.1 Magnus Carlsen
Carlsen - Karthikeyan Murali: 0-1
The FIDE World Cup 2023 winner - GM Magnus Carlsen (NOR, 2839) made an incorrect sacrifice against GM Karthikeyan Murali (2611).
Position after 35...Kd6
23.Bxh6? Rxe4 24.Rxe4 gxh6 and White never got enough compensation or play with his rook against two minor pieces. 23.Nxf6 Nxf6 24.Qxc6 Kxc6 would have kept things in balance.
Why did Magnus Carlsen call his opponent? Commentary by IM Sagar Shah
| Video: ChessBase India
Magnus Carlsen congratulates his opponent after losing the game
| Video: ChessBase India
The Karthikeyan Murali interview after his win over Magnus Carlsen | Video: ChessBase India
Karthikeyan Murali beat the World no.1 Magnus Carlsen in their first Classical encounter
Two newly-wed super GMs play fiery chess | Maghsoodloo vs Nakamura | Video: ChessBase India
"I couldn't calm down. I was not so relaxed. I was playing for attraction" - GM Parham Maghsoodloo | Video: ChessBase India
GM Anish Giri on his win against GM Karthik Venkataraman | Video: ChessBase India
IM Vaishali R - GM Aditya Mittal: 0.5-0.5
FM Nikhil Dixit (pictured) - IM Divya Deshmukh: 1-0 | Photo: Shahid Ahmed
Videos
"It was surreal, just watching Carlsen play made me happy!" - IM Manish Anto Cristiano | Video: ChessBase India
"I played against 4 Indian players in the last four rounds!" - IM Nogerbek Kazybek | Video: ChessBase India
WGM Keti Tsatsalashvili - Press Officer of Qatar Masters 2023 | Video: ChessBase India
Schedule
There are one round every day from 11th to 20th October 2023 starting from 3 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Monday 16th October 2023 is a rest day. Only last round on 20th October starts at 1 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST.
Time control
Time control for each tournament game is 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, plus 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move 1.
Prizes
The total prize fund of the tournament is US$ 108250. The top three prizes are $25000, $15000 and $10000 each.
Replay live stream
Replay Round 7 Live Commentary by IM Sagar Shah and Amruta Mokal | Video: ChessBase India
Replay Round 7 Live Commentary by GM Evgenij Miroshnichenko, IM Jovanka Houska, and IM Irene Sukandar | Video: Qatar Chess Association