Big news for Indian chess fans as Nihal Sarin, just 21 years old, is about to play against none other than Magnus Carlsen, the GOAT himself, in the quarterfinals of the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Who Is Nihal Sarin?
Nihal Sarin represents S8UL Esports in the Esports World Cup 2025 and has had a fantastic tournament so far. He didn’t start perfectly and lost his first match against fellow Indian Arjun Erigaisi. But that didn’t keep him down. Nihal made a strong comeback by defeating huge names like Anish Giri and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (MVL). He won 2-0 against Giri, including a performance so impressive it actually made Giri lose his cool, and then beat MVL in the next round. These wins helped Nihal reach the playoffs, and now he’s set to face the biggest challenge of his career: Magnus Carlsen.
A Rising Star
Nihal Sarin has been a well-known name among chess fans for some time now. He’s known for being fast and calm, especially in shorter time formats. In the Esports World Cup 2025, the time control is especially quick. Even Magnus Carlsen said before the event that Nihal is “incredibly good with very little time on the clock” and that he could be a dangerous opponent under these special conditions.
The Magnus Carlsen Factor
Magnus Carlsen needs no introduction; he’s a five-time World Chess Champion and the top-ranked player in the world. Carlsen praised Nihal’s speed and skills, admitting his own mouse speed isn’t the fastest, but he is still confident with his experience and calmness in pressure situations. Still, Carlsen knows that facing someone like Nihal, especially in fast games, won’t be easy.
An All-Indian Showdown?
Nihal is not the only Indian to reach the last eight. Arjun Erigaisi is also in the quarterfinals, which is a big moment for Indian chess. Both of them are showing that Indian players are now a force to be reckoned with, even among the world’s elite.
What’s Next?
The quarterfinal between Nihal Sarin and Magnus Carlsen promises to be a thrilling match. For Nihal, it’s a dream chance to test himself against the best and show that Indian chess is on the rise on the global stage. Whether he wins or loses, Nihal has already made the country proud by fighting his way to the top in such a prestigious tournament. Chess fans all over the world will definitely be tuning in for this epic clash between the young star from India and the reigning king of chess. All eyes will be on Riyadh as the game unfolds. Can Nihal pull off an upset, or will Carlsen’s experience see him through? The world will know soon.
Also Read: Esports World Cup 2025 Chess Playoffs: Who Made The Cut On Day 2
