Magnus Carlsen’s Rough Start at 2024 FIDE World Rapid Championship

World No 1 Magnus Carlsen had a rough start at the 2024 FIDE World Rapid Championship, with three draws, a win, and a shocking loss to Belarusian Denis Lazavik. The tournament, held in the USA at Wall Street, saw Carlsen languishing at 80th place after the first day of competition.

Rapid chess is considered Carlsen’s main event, with numerous world titles under his belt. However, Thursday proved to be a challenging day for the reigning champion as he struggled to secure wins against lower-rated opponents before falling to Lazavik in a surprising upset.

Despite his slow start, Carlsen is known for his ability to elevate his game when needed, and fans can expect him to bounce back in the remaining rounds. Currently, Russian player Volodar Murzin leads the pack with 4.5 points.

In the rapid format, players have 15 minutes per game with a 10-second increment per move. Carlsen found himself in trouble in rounds 3 and 4, narrowly escaping defeat against GM Dudin and GM Shimanov. However, Lazavik proved to be a formidable opponent, capitalizing on Carlsen’s mistakes to secure a victory.

Chess enthusiasts and experts alike were surprised by Carlsen’s performance, with some noting that the younger generation of players like Lazavik are not intimidated by the reigning champion. Despite the setback, Carlsen’s legendary comebacks are not to be underestimated.

World classical Champion D Gukesh was notably absent from the event, adding to the intrigue of the competition. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Carlsen as he looks to defend his title and reclaim his dominance on the chessboard.