16-year-old Indian GM D Gukesh beats Magnus Carlsen in Aimchess Rapid chess
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India teenager Donnarumma Gukesh scripted history on Sunday in the ongoing Aimchess Rapid online tournament as he defeated Magnus Carlsen, thereby becoming the youngest player ever to beat him as world champion.
The 16-year-old – better known in chess circles as Gukesh D – beat the Norwegian grandmaster with the white pieces in round nine of the Aimchess Rapid tournament on Monday morning (AEDT).
Carlsen had been in a winning position but resigned shortly after a blunder that handed his opponent a clear advantage.
"Obviously beating Magnus is always special, but I was not really very proud of that game," Gukesh said.
But the world champion said Gukesh had made the most of his chances.
"Perhaps this rapid win wasn't his proudest effort, even though getting a win is always nice," Carlsen said.
Gukesh D has long been earmarked as one of the rising stars of world chess.
In early 2019 he became the second-youngest grandmaster in history, at the age of just 12 years, seven months, and 17 days.
He announced himself at this year's Chess Olympiad by winning eight consecutive games.
He is among the stars of a new generation of young Indian players who are taking the sport by storm.
Carlsen has now lost to two Indian teenagers in as many days after he went down to 19-year-old Arjun Erigaisi on the weekend.
He has also lost to another Indian teenager, 17-year-old Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, three times this year.
"Pragg is the only one I've lost multiple times to," Carlsen said.
"As for Arjun and Gukesh — Arjun I've generally beaten, Gukesh very similar.
"[But] I think Gukesh has been extremely impressive in classical chess recently."