Chess World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen recently praised young Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin, highlighting his exceptional skill in speed chess, particularly when time is running out.
Carlsen on the Esports World Cup Format
Magnus Carlsen is set to compete at the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh, representing Team Liquid. The tournament features a unique time control: 10 minutes per game with no increment, which means no extra time is added after each move.
Carlsen noted that this unforgiving format adds significant pressure, unlike many rapid and blitz events played online. He appreciates that it makes time management a critical part of the game, aligning with the motor skill demands often seen in esports.
Praise for Nihal Sarin’s Speed
The five-time World Champion admitted that his own mouse speed isn’t always the best. He specifically mentioned Nihal Sarin as a player who could pose a significant challenge in this format due to his quickness.
“We saw in the qualifier how incredibly good Nihal (Sarin) is with very little time on the clock,” Carlsen told Chessbase India. He added that players like Nihal and Alireza Firouzja can leverage their speed to their advantage.
Nihal Sarin is indeed known as a “speed demon” in the chess world, renowned for his prowess in fast-paced games. This unique skillset makes him a dangerous opponent under such time constraints.
A Challenging Field of Competitors
When asked about other dangerous opponents in the 16-player event, Carlsen pointed to Team Falcons players, Hikaru Nakamura and Alireza Firouzja, as the most formidable on paper. He described Hikaru as arguably the most consistent among them.
However, Carlsen emphasized that the field is incredibly strong, with almost every player having a genuine chance to make a deep run. The small margins between the top competitors make for an exciting and unpredictable tournament.
- Magnus Carlsen is competing at the Esports World Cup 2025 with a unique 10-minute, no-increment time format.
- Carlsen praised Indian GM Nihal Sarin for his exceptional performance with very little time on the clock.
- Nihal Sarin is often called a “speed demon” for his rapid chess skills.
- Carlsen also views Hikaru Nakamura and Alireza Firouzja as highly dangerous opponents.
The tournament will feature two Indian players, Nihal Sarin and Arjun Erigaisi, adding local interest to this high-stakes speed chess competition.
