Magnus Carlsen has been been of a number of standout moments with younger players in recent editions of the ‘Titled Tuesday’. And in the two-day ‘Titled Tuesday Grand Prix’ that got underway on 17 February, Carlsen was held to a 66-move draw by 13-year-old Kazakhstani Candidate Master Aldiyar Zharas.
There has been some form of drama involving Magnus Carlsen and the Titled Tuesday in recent weeks. Whether it was applauding American teenager Jacorey Bynum after getting checkmated by him last month or raising eyebrows with a unique opening while facing Iranian GM Amin Tabatabaei shortly after.
In the two-day ‘Titled Tuesday Grand Prix’ online blitz event that got underway on Tuesday, the world No 1 was held to a draw by Kazakhstani Candidate Master Aldiyar Zharas in a game that went down the wire and lasted 66 moves. The two players were left with less than 40 seconds on the clock in a rook endgame and ended up shaking hands virtually via repetition after losing a rook and a couple of pawns each.
Carlsen plays out scratchy draw against Zharas
The game began with a Sicilian Defense opening and was far from perfect for the Norwegian Grandmaster, who is the reigning Rapid and Blitz world champion and had recently been crowned the inaugural FIDE Freestyle Chess world champion. The 35-year-old had committed a pawn blunder in the 23rd move (23. f5), allowing Zharas to gain the upper hand in the contest.
It did not take long for the eval bar to return to level terms, however, after the young Kazakhstani talent committed a series of errors, including a couple of blunders (42. Kg7 and 44. Ke6). Carlsen, however, had another little misstep around this stage (44. Ke2), and couldn’t capitalise on an opening to close the game out on a winning note.
Watch the endgame here:
CM Aldiyar Zharas holds Magnus Carlsen to a draw in round one, though it could be said that it was Magnus who held!https://t.co/KTxyG16xQu#TitledTuesday pic.twitter.com/BVOc8li4tv
— chess24 (@chess24com) February 17, 2026
Then again, Carlsen isn’t exactly known for bringing his ‘A’ game to the ‘Titled Tuesday’ events and in all likelihood participates to have some fun and to keep himself engaged with the sport. And the experience that these youngsters get, especially the confidence derived from a victory or a draw is invaluable and could help them greatly in their development as a player.
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