Historic Upset: Jorden van Foreest Defeats Magnus Carlsen in Classical Chess at TePe Sigeman Tournament

Historic Upset: Jorden van Foreest Defeats Magnus Carlsen in Thrilling Endgame

Malmö, Sweden — In a stunning turn of events at the 2026 TePe Sigeman Chess Tournament, Dutch Grandmaster Jorden van Foreest became the first player to defeat reigning world champion Magnus Carlsen in classical chess since Gukesh Dommaraju’s remarkable victory in Norway Chess 2025. The match, held on May 4, showcased a gripping endgame that left spectators on the edge of their seats.

Van Foreest, who had never beaten Carlsen before, described the game as “crazy.” After a false fire alarm disrupted the players’ sleep just hours before the match, Van Foreest managed to shake off the panic and focus on the board. “I woke up in total panic and disorientation,” he recounted. “I didn’t think it would happen ever, so it’s a big moment!”

The game began with Van Foreest opting for the Najdorf variation, a choice that initially sent Carlsen into deep thought. The world champion struggled to find his footing, and as the clock ticked down, the tension escalated. Carlsen appeared to be on the verge of securing a draw, having set up what looked like a fortress. However, in a dramatic twist, Van Foreest seized an unexpected opportunity, leading to Carlsen’s knight being trapped.

“I was already resigned to making a draw and I was OK with it, and then suddenly I got this moment out of nowhere,” Van Foreest explained. The match concluded with Carlsen resigning, marking a significant milestone in Van Foreest’s career.

Erdogmus Takes Sole Lead

Meanwhile, GM Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus continued his impressive rise in the tournament, claiming sole leadership after a brilliant victory over GM Nils Grandelius. Erdogmus, who is quickly becoming a formidable force in chess, expressed his focus on playing good chess rather than fixating on ratings. “He just made two big blunders—that’s why I won the game!” he said, showcasing his humility despite his growing prowess.

Zhu Jiner Shines

In other notable matches, GM Zhu Jiner secured her first win of the tournament against GM Andy Woodward, capitalizing on an early mistake. Zhu’s flawless performance earned her praise, as she reflected on her improvement: “I feel good, because before the three games I played so bad, and I think today at least I didn’t make a mistake.”

Abdusattorov and Erigaisi Share the Spoils

The only draw of the day came from a tense clash between GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov and GM Arjun Erigaisi. Abdusattorov had a promising position but allowed his advantage to slip away, resulting in a hard-fought stalemate.

Looking Ahead

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the fifth round, set to take place on Tuesday, May 5, at 9 a.m. ET. Carlsen will face Zhu Jiner in a must-win situation to keep his tournament hopes alive, while Erdogmus will battle Woodward in a clash of rising stars.

The TePe Sigeman Chess Tournament, running from May 1-7, 2026, at the Elite Plaza Hotel in Malmö, promises to deliver more thrilling chess action as the world’s best compete in this prestigious event.