Carlsen's 'GOAT' status questioned after world No 1 suffers four consecutive defeats: 'Unreal cooking and washing'

Magnus Carlsen suffered consecutive defeats on Day 2 of the World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships in Hong Kong, where he is representing the WR Chess Team.

And on Friday, the third day of the competition and the final day of the Rapid event, the world No 1's poor form continued as he lost to Javokhir Sindarov and Aydin Suleymanli in the ninth and 10th rounds respectively, taking his losing streak to four.

Sindarov, who is representing Team Uzbekistan and will be challenging D Gukesh for his world title later this year, became the second player after India's Arjun Erigaisi to beat Carlsen with black pieces, winning in 62 moves after a hard-fought battle.

Suleymanli, representing Odlar Yurdu, had to fight even harder while playing as white to beat the reigning Rapid and Blitz world champion, surrounding Carlsen's knight and king with two rooks.

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Carlsen, incidentally, resigned in both games despite having more time on the clock compared to his opponent.

'What's wrong with the GOAT?'

Here are reactions to Carlsen's poor run in Hong Kong:

WR Chess managed to finish level at 3-3 with Uzbekistan despite Carlsen's defeat, but lost to Odlar Yurdu by a 2.5-3.5 scoreline in the next round. They were languishing at the 22nd spot in the Rapid standings after the 10th round with 11 points.

Mr Birdie and friends, headlined by Russian GM Vladislav Artemiev, were in the lead with 17 points at the same stage while Team MGD1 – the all-Indian team that also comprises GMs Nihal Sarin and Harika Dronavalli among others besides Arjun – were fourth with 16 points.

The World Blitz Team Championship will be taking place during the weekend, with the knockouts taking place on Sunday, 21 June – the final day of the event.