A chess prodigy in the making: Mugdho’s journey to defeating Magnus Carlsen

At just nine years old, Rayan Rashid Mugdho, a young chess prodigy from Dhaka, has achieved what many seasoned players can only dream of—defeating five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen.

This extraordinary feat occurred on 18 January in a bullet chess match on Chess.com, leaving the chess world stunned and bringing immense pride to Bangladesh.

Mugdho's story is nothing short of remarkable, marked by a natural aptitude for chess from a very young age. Speaking about how his journey in an exclusive interview with The Business Standard, Mugdho said, "I started learning chess when I was two years old by sitting on my father's lap and watching him play online. I wasn't taught how to move the pieces; I just picked it up on my own."

His family fondly recalls those early moments. "He could set up a chessboard perfectly at the age of two," said his uncle Maksudur Rashid, who has been a pillar of support in Mugdho's journey. "By the time he was three, he knew how all the pieces moved and was already winning games by three and a half. He won his first amateur tournament at four and earned his FIDE rating across all formats at five, topping the global FIDE rating list in his age category at the time."

He prioritises chess over school, often missing classes to dedicate nearly 12 hours a week to practice, along with additional time spent on the Chess.com platform.

Despite his incredible natural talent, Mugdho's ascent hasn't been without challenges. His family has had to make significant sacrifices to support his career. "In his first international tournament in the Maldives, the federation covered his airfare," said Maksudur. "But since then, we've had to manage all expenses, including registration fees, on our own. We secured partial sponsors for two tours, but as a lower-middle-class family, it's been extremely challenging."

Mugdho has participated in four international tournaments to date, including the Asian School Chess Championship in Bangkok, and continues to punch above his weight. "In a recent rapid chess tournament at Dhaka University, he competed well above his age group and even defeated FIDE Master Subroto Biswas," Maksudur shared. "Chess is Mugdho's passion, and he prioritises it over studies or anything else. But it's an expensive sport, and financial support would make a world of difference in his progress."

Mugdho's incredible victory over Carlsen unfolded in a bullet chess game, a format where players have just one minute to complete their moves. "The bullet format is my favourite," Mugdho explained. "I love the urgency it brings—you have to think and act very quickly. When I realised I was matched with Carlsen, I was starstruck, but I didn't back down. After he made a mistake with his queen, I knew I was in a strong position. I played naturally, just as I would against any opponent."

His uncle and coach vividly recalled the unforgettable moment. As Manon Reja Neer was visiting their home that evening, they decided to go out for dinner, leaving Mugdho at home since he was unwell. To keep him occupied, his coach handed him his Chess.com account. Not long after, Mugdho called to share the unbelievable news that he had defeated Magnus Carlsen. Initially, they dismissed it, assuming he had played against an impersonator. However, when Mugdho sent them a screenshot of the victory, they were left utterly astonished.

After news of Mugdho's stunning win over Magnus Carlsen spread, many netizens speculated that Carlsen had made a misclick of his mouse when he fumbled his queen. However, Mugdho had a different perspective. Reflecting on the fast-paced nature of the game, he explained, "The bullet format is my favourite format. I like the way it gives a feeling of urgency. You have to make the moves quite quickly. I think Magnus might've made a mistake instead of him misclicking due to the format. Anyone can make mistakes." For Mugdho, the rapid pace of bullet chess was part of what made the game so exciting, and he believed that even the greatest players could falter under pressure.

His coach, FIDE Master Nayem Haque, emphasised Mugdho's exceptional talent and early milestones. "When Mugdho got his FIDE rating at five, it was a world record at the time. That record was later broken, but it remains a significant achievement," Haque said. "I've reduced the number of students I train to focus more on Mugdho because I see immense potential in him."

However, Haque pointed out that talent alone isn't enough. "Chess requires immense mental strength. Even with hard work and consistent practice, a lack of concentration can lead to critical mistakes during matches," he said. "For example, during a tournament in Thailand, Mugdho fell asleep mid-game due to exhaustion. If he had drawn just one of his last two games, he would've won a medal. Unfortunately, his opponent didn't wake him, and by the time the arbiter did, he had only two minutes left and lost the game."

To address this, Haque has been working on improving Mugdho's focus. "I make him watch videos of his own matches so he can identify where his concentration falters. It's part of the learning process, and though it may be due to his young age, I'm confident he'll overcome it."

Mugdho's determination shines through in his goals. "I want to break Manon Reja Neer's record and become an International Master by 12," he said, referring to the 14-year-old who recently became Bangladesh's youngest IM. "Ultimately, I want to be a world champion."

Haque and Mugdho's family share this vision but stress the need for greater support. "Quality coaching is expensive, and so is participating in international tournaments," said Maksudur. "If we receive financial support, Mugdho's progress would be much faster. Still, we'll do everything in our power to help him achieve his dreams."

Mugdho's recent achievement has drawn admiration from across the chess community. Grandmaster Niaz Morshed and International Master Manon Reja Neer personally congratulated him, recognising the talent and promise he brings to the game.

Haque summed it up best: "Mugdho is a determined kid. He has weaknesses, like any young player, but his potential is immense. With the right nurturing, there's no limit to what he can achieve.