Total Chess 2026: Pragg blunders mate in one, Carlsen misses chance

Pragganandhaa blundered a mate in one and lost a winning position with Black against Richard Rapport at Total Chess 2026 in Budapest, Hindustan Times reported. With White down on material and its king at the edge of the board, Black was in a comfortably winning endgame.

Praggnandhaa took his bishop back and tried to pin White’s knight with it, opening up a path for White’s queen and a mate in one. 6 in live ratings.

Carlsen had found himself in a pleasant position out of the opening with White, with his opponent Shakriyar Mamedyarov choosing to play the Caro-Kann, in the Total Chess pilot on Saturday.

7 points and find himself below 2800, now within touching distance of ending Carlsen’s 15-year run at the top.

Why it matters

Carlsen is in the bottom half of his group with Anish Giri topping it, according to Hindustan Times. With only three games remaining, his World number one spot is on the line. Given his shaky play, Carlsen may not be able to hold on to his position for long.

What happens next

Carlsen must play his remaining three games in Budapest as he tries to hold the top spot. Haik Martirosyan defeated Carlsen for the first time at Total Chess Pilot 2026 in Budapest, ChessBase India reported, winning a 41-move encounter with White.

Playing with the white pieces, Martirosyan outplayed Carlsen and handed the World No. 1 his first loss of the tournament. By the 21st move, Carlsen had just six minutes remaining, while Martirosyan had almost 20 minutes.

Under time pressure, Magnus made a series of mistakes, particularly with his queen, that allowed Martirosyan to convert his advantage into a victory.

By the numbers

Carlsen’s 15-year run at number one is under threat. Caruana dropped 0.7 points. Carlsen had six minutes left by move 21 against Martirosyan, while Martirosyan had almost 20 minutes.

Background

Total Chess Pilot 2026 is part of the FIDE World Championship Tour in Budapest. ChessBase India said Martirosyan’s win handed Carlsen his first loss of the tournament. Carlsen’s rating fall puts his long-held top spot at risk as Caruana closes in.

American GM Wesley So, who is playing in Budapest, wrote on X that calling 45+30 games classical without adding additional time on move 40 is utterly ridiculous.

So said all he sees when watching the games are time trouble, time trouble, plus more time trouble, and that it feels more like blitz than classical chess. So added that classical chess should give players enough time to demonstrate their calculation and understanding.

On the bright side, So said his boy Fabiansky looks like he is going to become World No. 1 soon and offered advanced congratulations.

Key figures from Total Chess 2026 coverage

Related on Apex Sports News

• Total Chess 2026: Martirosyan beats Carlsen as Vaishali wins in Budapest

• Vaishali stuns So and Niemann as Carlsen wins Total Chess Blitz opener

• Total Chess World Championship: Mishra holds Carlsen, Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali lose twice

Sources

• Hindustan Times

• chessbase.in