Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin has responded after Emin Ohanyan’s frustrated outburst during TakeTakeTake’s Titled Tuesday blitz game went viral. Ohanyan showed the middle finger towards the screen after losing the game to Nihal.
Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin has reacted in a dignified way after an incident involving Armenian player Emin Ohanyan during an online blitz game went viral on social media platforms. Ohanyan made an obscene gesture towards the screen after losing the game to Nihal, which didn’t go down well with fans.
The incident happened during TakeTakeTake’s Titled Tuesday event, where the two players were involved in a very tense endgame battle. Nihal had a slightly better position on the board with a rook and a pawn despite playing with Black pieces, while Ohanyan had a bishop and a pawn left. There was no easy way to progress, and both players were shuffling their pieces, waiting for the other person to make a mistake.
Both
Nihal Sarin and Emin Ohanyan were facing pressure from the clock. Nihal had less time and it looked like he might lose on time. But then came the big moment as Ohanyan made a premature move, expecting Nihal to respond in a certain way. Nihal quickly spotted the mistake and captured his bishop to secure the win.
What’s the controversy?
Ohanyan was visibly frustrated after realising his mistake. He stood up and showed the middle finger towards the screen and walked away.
The clip was shared online by TakeTakeTake with the caption, “we’ve all been there.” However, many people criticised the reaction and called it embarrassing. Later, the post was deleted, and a clarification was issued.
Just to clarify:
We don’t interpret the hand gestures to be towards Nihal, but towards the computer/game itself.
If it was intended towards Nihal, we obviously do not condone that or want to normalize it. However, a little rage after losing a game is not out of the ordinary.
— Take Take Take (@TakeTakeTakeApp) February 24, 2026
Some viewers thought the gestures were aimed personally at Nihal. But the app clarified that it was just frustration at the game itself. Now Nihal has responded to the situation on X. He wrote, “Regarding the recent incident, I want to clarify that I was not offended. Things happen in the heat of the moment – no big deal. cc.”
Regarding the recent incident, I want to clarify that I was not offended. Things happen in the heat of the moment — no big deal. cc @TakeTakeTakeApp
— Nihal Sarin (@NihalSarin) February 26, 2026
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