Norwegian chess maestro Magnus Carlsen, a five-time world champion renowned for dismantling opponents with icy precision, recently played an unexpected role in propelling India’s LR Srihari to grandmaster glory—by defeating him. The 19-year-old Chennai prodigy, now India’s 86th GM, credits a 2023 loss to Carlsen as the catalyst for his rise. But how could a crushing defeat against the world’s top-ranked player fuel Srihari’s historic achievement? The answer lies not in the result, but in the mindset shift that followed.
Srihari’s “bad game” against Magnus Carlsen
At the 2023 Qatar Masters, Srihari faced a dream-turned-reality: a classical chess match against his idol, Magnus Carlsen. The pairing was a fluke—a last-minute replacement after another player’s flight delay—but the impact was profound. Though Carlsen outplayed him decisively, Srihari walked away with something far more valuable than a win: unshakable motivation.
“I just wanted to play a good game but ended up playing a really bad one,” Srihari admitted.
Yet that “bad game” became his turning point. The loss, immortalized as his WhatsApp display photo, fueled a relentless drive to improve. Days later, he secured his second GM norm at the same tournament, proving resilience trumps perfection.
Carlsen’s mastery exposed gaps in Srihari’s strategy, pushing the teen to refine his openings and sharpen his endgame. More importantly, sharing the board with a legend gave him a blueprint for composure under pressure.
“I could have played better, but I will cherish this the most,” Srihari reflected, highlighting the psychological boost of facing chess’s ultimate benchmark.
From near misses to Grandmaster glory
The road to GM status wasn’t linear. After Qatar, Srihari faced agonizing near-misses. At the 2024 Dubai Open, he was one move away from clinching his final norm before a blunder cost him the game. “It gets frustrating,” he confessed, describing months of narrowly missing the mark. But the Carlsen defeat had instilled a lesson: setbacks are setups for comebacks.
His breakthrough came at the Asian Individual Championship in Al-Ain, UAE, where he sealed his third GM norm with a round to spare. The victory made him Tamil Nadu’s 31st grandmaster—a testament to India’s chess boom—and capped a journey defined by grit.
Carlsen’s unseen mentorship
While Carlsen and Srihari never formally collaborated, the Norwegian’s influence is undeniable. By exposing Srihari to elite-level play, Carlsen inadvertently became a silent mentor. For Srihari, analyzing that loss became a masterclass in identifying weaknesses and embracing growth.
“To get a chance to play classical chess over the board with him… that would be one of my favourite moments,” Srihari said.
The match’s legacy isn’t in Carlsen’s victory but in how it reshaped Srihari’s approach: studying deeper, pushing harder, and viewing every loss as a stepping stone.
What’s next for India’s newest GM?
At 19, Srihari balances chess with a second-year B.Com degree—a duality reflecting his discipline. With the GM title secured, he’s eyeing higher FIDE ratings and stronger tournaments. But his story already offers a masterstroke in perseverance: sometimes, losing to the best teaches you how to become your best.