World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen suffered a rare defeat in classical chess, going down to Jorden van Foreest in a dramatic Round 4 clash at the TePe Sigeman & Co tournament, ending his unbeaten run in the format that had stretched for nearly a year.
Carlsen, who had not lost a classical game since his high-profile defeat to D Gukesh at Norway Chess 2025, appeared well-placed to salvage a draw in what turned out to be a tense and fluctuating encounter. However, sustained pressure and time trouble proved decisive as Van Foreest capitalised on late inaccuracies to seal a memorable victory.
The contest saw both players navigate a complex middlegame before entering a tricky endgame featuring imbalanced material. With engines suggesting a drawn position and Carlsen known for his defensive resilience, the Norwegian looked set to extend his streak. But as the clock ticked down, the balance shifted.
