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Erigaisi, Vachier-Lagrave, Caruana Share Lead After Day 1 of World Blitz in Doha

Six Swiss rounds remain before a four-player knockout decides the title.

Overview

  • Arjun Erigaisi defeated Magnus Carlsen with the black pieces in Round 9 after a frantic time scramble that included a queen slip and a brief livestream freeze, and Carlsen struck the table as the clock expired.
  • The leaders sit on 10/13, with a packed chase group at 9.5 that includes Daniil Dubov, Lu Shanglei, Yu Yangyi, Baadur Jobava, Wesley So and Alexander Grischuk.
  • Carlsen is one point back on 9 after two losses, including to Erigaisi, a day after winning his sixth World Rapid title.
  • In the Women’s event, IM Eline Roebers leads on 8.5/10 following a six‑game winning streak.
  • The blitz uses a 3+2 time control with 19 Open and 15 Women’s rounds, after which the top four advance to Tuesday’s knockout stage.