Delhi’s 9-year-old chess prodigy Aarit Kapil forces Magnus Carlsen to draw!
Arit Kapil, the nine-year-old chess prodigy drew the attention of the chess fraternity on Wednesday. The chess player had almost stunned the five-time World Champion Magnus Carlsen in an online chess competition named ‘Early Titled Tuesday’. Playing from his hotel room in Georgia, where he is currently competing in the Under-10 World Championship, Aarit faced the five-time world champion with poise well beyond his years. For much of the match, the Indian prodigy held the upper hand, even maneuvering Carlsen into what analysts later called a “completely lost position.” With a rook versus two minor pieces in the final endgame, Aarit had an advantage that could have spelled defeat for one of the greatest players to have ever played the sport. However, with the clock ticking down and only seconds remaining, he was unable to convert the win and had to settle for a well-earned draw. Still, the performance sent shockwaves through the chess world—few players, let alone schoolchildren, have come this close to toppling Carlsen. Arit Kapil is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about young names in the global chess circuit. Hailing from Delhi, he first made headlines in December 2024 by defeating Grandmaster Raset Ziatdinov at the KIIT International Open in Bhubaneswar. At just nine years, two months, and eighteen days old, Aarit became the youngest Indian ever to beat a GM in classical play, and the third-youngest globally—behind only Singapore’s Ashwath Kaushik and Serbia’s Leonid Ivanovic.
Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in turmoil as coach exits
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Arabian club, Al Nassr is without a head coach after Stefano Pioli departed on Wednesday. The Italian is expected to return home and take charge of Fiorentina. Al Nassr, which is owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, now finds itself without a manager just days before Ronaldo’s contract expires on Monday. The 40-year-old forward has been with the club for the last two-and-half years. In a statement posted on social media, the club announced: “Pioli and his staff are no longer the acting coaching staff of the first team.” Pioli previously coached Fiorentina for two seasons until 2019 and went on to win a Serie-A title during his five-year tenure at AC Milan. He joined Al Nassr, replacing Luís Castro, who was dismissed earlier in the year. Pioli previously coached Fiorentina for two seasons until 2019 and went on to win a Serie A title during his five-year tenure at AC Milan. However, Cristiano Ronaldo also thanked his former coach, Stefano Pioli, with an Italian message on social media as the ex-Milan boss formally leaves Al-Nassr to join Fiorentina. Ronaldo scored 31 goals in 36 matches at Al-Nassr under Pioli. The Saudi side hired the Italian tactician in September 2024, and the 59-year-old won 28 games from 44.
Disappointed Gavaskar asks the Indian team to leave ‘optional training’ and become serious about ‘fielding’ before the second test
Sunil Gavaskar, disappointed with the defeat of the Shubman Gill-led Indian team against England at Headingley, has offered some specific advice to Gill & co. “Next couple of days you can take off, but now seriously get into practice. Leave this optional practice aside. You have come here to play for India. So, you practice in a way so that you will give yourself the best,” said Sunil Gavaskar, speaking on Sony Sports. The legendary batsman continued, “Full credit to England. Despite India having five centurions, they seemed to have that confidence. That is what made them take the final wickets. That is where India also missed out because those extra runs could have made the difference. As far as the fielding was concerned, it’s just not the catch, but the outfielding was pretty ordinary. Not Test class,” Gavaskar added. While explaining about the pitch, Gavaskar commented, “The pitch was perfect to bat on. So it is tough to criticize the bowlers. Bumrah bowled so well. If he had somebody, keeping it a bit tight, that would have been big help. But this is the first Test.” Defending 371 runs, India lost the game by five wickets. The former Indian captain feels the Indian team must have learned a lesson from the defeat. “Hopefully, lessons have been learned. There are eight days for the next match,” Gavaskar opined.
