Magnus Carlsen wins 31st TePe Sigeman & Co. 2026 via Playoffs, Arjun Erigaisi second

By admin May 8, 2026 0 comments

Magnus Carlsen (NOR) defeated Arjun Erigaisi in the Sudden Death Blitz to win 31st TePe Sigeman & Co. 2026. 22 years later, Carlsen conquered this event.

A tough last day for Arjun

Magnus Carlsen won a virtual must-win last round game against Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus. The strongest 14-year-old in history, could not hold the complex bishop vs knight endgame. Meanwhile, Arjun Erigaisi somehow managed to escape against Andy Woodward with a draw. Thus, Carlsen and Arjun ended up having the same score 5/7 each. Carlsen won the first 3’+2″ Blitz playoff game. Arjun won the must-win second Blitz game with the black pieces. In the 2.5′ vs 3′ Sudden Death Blitz, Carlsen won again to become the winner of the tournament.

Overall, one might conclude that Arjun finished second in Playoff for the second time at this event since 2024 but this time he had to compete against the mighty Carlsen. He is the World no.1, reigning World Rapid and Blitz champion and arguably the greatest chess player of all time. Arjun won a must-win second Playoff game with the black pieces. Not a lot of players in the world can say that. This is definitely an improvement. It is just a matter of time before Arjun starts winning these events as Carlsen is indubitably still the best of the world but he is no longer invincible.

Champion – Magnus Carlsen (NOR) 5/7 | Photo: Peter Doggers, https://www.tepesigemanchess.com/

Interview with Magnus Carlsen | Video: Sveriges Schackförbund

Runner-up – Arjun Erigaisi 5/7 | Photo: Peter Doggers, https://www.tepesigemanchess.com/

Second Runner-up – Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus (TUR) and Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) 4/7 | Photo: Peter Doggers, https://www.tepesigemanchess.com/

Interview with Jorden van Foreest | Video: Sveriges Schackförbund

Arjun Erigaisi made a near miraculous escape against Andy Woodward (USA) to get into Playoffs | Photo: Peter Doggers, https://www.tepesigemanchess.com/

The strongest 14-year-old Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus (TUR) was visibly sad to not hold a draw against Magnus Carlsen (NOR) in their first-ever Classical battle | Photo: Peter Doggers, https://www.tepesigemanchess.com/

Round 7 in progress | Photo: Peter Doggers, https://www.tepesigemanchess.com/

Jeroen van den Berg, Tournament Director of Tata Steel Chess, made the ceremonial first move of Round 7 | Photo: Peter Doggers, https://www.tepesigemanchess.com/

Group photo | Photo: Peter Doggers, https://www.tepesigemanchess.com/

Replay live stream

Replay Round 7 and Playoff live commentary by GM Erwin l’Ami (NED) and GM Stellan Brynell (SWE) | Video: Sveriges Schackförbund

Time Control

90 minutes for 40 moves and then 30 minutes for the remaining moves with 30 seconds cumulative increment for each move starting from the first move (Malmö rules – no draws before move 40).