Magnus Carlsen's 15-Year Reign Under Threat After Shock Defeat In Total Chess World Championship Tour

Five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen is in danger of losing the world No. 1 ranking he has held for 15 years after suffering a shock defeat to Armenia's Haik Martirosyan on the third day of the Fast Classical competition at the Total Chess World Championship Tour Pilot. The 35-year-old Norwegian Grandmaster has occupied the top spot since July 2011. However, after recording five draws and one defeat in the Fast Classical section, Carlsen has lost 15.8 rating points and slipped to 2807.2 in the live ratings. In-form American Fabiano Caruana is closing in on Carlsen. The American Grandmaster has registered five wins and two draws, gaining 17 rating points to move to 2800, leaving him just 7.2 points behind Carlsen.

While live ratings are updated in real time, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) publishes its official ratings on a monthly basis.

Playing Carlsen for the first time in a classical FIDE-rated game, Martirosyan defeated the Norwegian in 41 moves in the opening game of their match-up. With the white pieces, the Armenian built a dangerous attack and eventually broke through to secure a memorable victory.

Carlsen found himself in time trouble early in the game and was forced into a series of hurried decisions that ultimately led to costly mistakes. He eventually resigned.

The two Grandmasters settled for a draw in the reverse fixture.

"It was a dream for me just to play him in a classical game, but to win is even more special. I will think about this moment many times. It is very special for me."

"It was an amazing day, and I will remember this day for the rest of my life," Martirosyan said.

With a win and a draw from the day, Martirosyan moved to 10 points and took sole possession of the lead in Group C, while Carlsen slipped to fifth place.

The top four players from each group will qualify for the title-deciding stage, while the remaining participants will compete in classification matches.

Meanwhile, Arjun Erigaisi recorded a win and a draw against Wesley So.

The Indian Grandmaster came under pressure in the first game, but So, despite enjoying a winning position earlier, declined a draw offer before committing a decisive blunder and resigning a move later.

"It was an interesting game. In the middlegame, I felt I did a very good job by sacrificing the exchange. Partly I blundered as well, but then I got very good compensation and had excellent control."

"It shouldn't have gone the way it did, and then I totally messed up. I did a good job of not panicking," Erigaisi said.

The pair drew the reverse fixture.

The 23-year-old Indian currently sits third in Group D, behind leader Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Hans Niemann.

R Vaishali registered her first win in the Fast Classical section of the tournament. The Indian Grandmaster, who is set to challenge Ju Wenjun for the Women's World Championship title next year, defeated Kazakhstan's Bibisara Assaubayeva with the white pieces.

Earlier in the day, Vaishali had lost to Assaubayeva in their first encounter. Despite the victory, she remains at the bottom of Group D.

Vaishali's brother, R Praggnanandhaa, extended his winless run after drawing both his games against Vladislav Artemiev.

The Indian Grandmaster is on four points, having drawn four games and lost two.

"Obviously, the results aren't great. I'm still trying to adapt," Praggnanandhaa said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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