Carlsen empathises with Niemann after latter’s failure to qualify for Esports World Cup: ‘Can relate to the pain’

Chess icon Magnus Carlsen empathised with nemesis Hans Niemann after the latter failed to seal his place in the ESports World Cup with a defeat against Anish Giri at the Last Chance Qualifier recently. Controversial American Grandmaster Niemann followed Carlsen’s footsteps in banging the table in anger after his defeat against Dutch GM Giri on Saturday. Giri qualified for the finals in the capital of the Gulf kingdom along with Indian GM Nihal Sarin as well as GMs Javokhir Sindarov and Levon Aronian.

Niemann, who had topped Group D in the Last Chance Qualifier, would have been disappointed at his inability to feature in chess’ debut at the Esports World Cup, especially after finishing runner-up in the Las Vegas leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour earlier this month, where he lost to Aronian.

Like Carlsen following his sixth-round defeat against D Gukesh at the Norway Chess last month, Niemann slammed his fist on the table after facing immense pressure on the clock and eventually running out of time in the crucial meeting with Giri.

“Yeah, it was fun. I watched it. I think we can relate to the pain of losing such a game. But, that’s why we’re here. It’s sports and it’s Esports, and it’s extremely unforgiving,” Carlsen told Take Take Take when quizzed on the incident.

Giri, incidentally, would also follow suit after the Dutch No 1’s defeat at the hands of Sarin at the Esports World Cup. Giri was seen banging his mouse in frustration after his 2-0 loss at the hands of the Indian GM, the clip of which has since gone viral.

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The victory helped Sarin, representing Indian Esports organisation S8UL, advance to the next round in the lower bracket of the chess tournament. Sarin would then beat French Grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave , representing Vitality, 1.5-0.5 to reach the quarter-finals, where he is up against Carlsen – who is representing Team Liquid.