Magnus Carlsen's costly rook blunder helps Sargsyan pull off shocking upset at World Rapid Team Championship | WATCH

World number one Magnus Carlsen suffered a major upset to Shant Sargsyan at the 2026 FIDE World Rapid Team Chess Championships in Hong Kong. A rare fumble against the Armenian GM cost him a key win.

The Norwegian GM’s struggles carried over from Norway Chess 2026, as he endured consecutive defeats in the tournament on Thursday.

Carlsen’s recent run has been productive, but has also exposed moments of vulnerability. The top-ranked GM won the 2026 TePe Sigeman & Co. Chess tournament but struggled to deliver at Norway Chess, reflecting a mix of dominance and setbacks.

WATCH | When Carlsen fumbled against Sargsyan

In round seven of the FIDE World Rapid Team Championship, Carlsen slipped up against Sargsyan after blundering his rook, which became the match's defining moment. The Armenian GM successfully converted the advantage to secure a comfortable win over Carlsen, handing him his second straight defeat in the team rapid event.

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Carlsen headlined the WR Chess team, featuring an elite lineup of stars including Fabiano Caruana, Wesley So, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, and Jan-Krzysztof Duda, and plays on the top board.

After defeating the world number one, 24-year-old Sargsyan, representing Sky Chess, called it one of the happiest days of his life.

Arjun Erigaisi defeats Carlsen

Indian chess grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi also sealed a victory over Carlsen in round six of the Rapid Team Championship event. Representing the defending champions MGD1, Erigaisi played with the black pieces and managed to capitalise on the World number one's desperate move of sacrificing his bishop to seize an advantage.

Also Read | Arjun breaks silence on stunning victory over Carlsen in World Rapid Team Championship: 'Thought I missed something'

Carlsen's rook blunder proved rather decisive, and the Indian GM ensured that the advantage remained firmly with him with a Queen sacrifice, sealing a high-pressure win in 30 moves. Erigaisi's victory over the five-time World Champion helped Team MGD1 edge out WR Chess by 3.5-2.5.