Karthikeyan Murali, a 26-year-old Grandmaster from Thanjavur, has etched his name in Indian chess history. He achieved a unique feat in 2023 at the Qatar Masters, becoming the only Indian to defeat Magnus Carlsen with the black pieces since Carlsen regained the World No. 1 spot in 2011. This victory sets him apart from other Indian Grandmasters who have also defeated Carlsen, such as Viswanathan Anand, Pentala Harikrishna, R. Praggnanandhaa, D. Gukesh, and Vidit Gujrathi.

Winning with the black pieces in chess is considered more challenging because white always moves first, providing an initial advantage. Overcoming this inherent disadvantage requires meticulous planning, nerves of steel, and astute tactics, making such a victory particularly rewarding.

Vidit Gujrathi, another prominent Indian Grandmaster, has also tasted victory against Magnus Carlsen. In February 2023, Gujrathi defeated Carlsen in a Pro Chess League match while playing for the India Yogis team. This online rapid chess tournament featured 16 teams and a prize pool of $150,000. Gujrathi capitalized on a tactical error by Carlsen, who was representing the Canada Chessbrahs team.

Gujrathi described the win as an "amazing feeling," especially against the "GOAT (Greatest of All Time) of chess". He also noted the significance of his team winning on all four boards during the match, making the victory even more special. While Gujrathi has faced Carlsen numerous times, often finding himself in advantageous positions, this win marked a crucial psychological breakthrough.

Before Gujrathi's victory, other Indian Grandmasters had also defeated Carlsen. R. Praggnanandhaa, D. Gukesh, and Arjun Erigaisi had all previously bested the Norwegian superstar in various events. Viswanathan Anand, a five-time world champion and India's first Grandmaster, has also defeated Carlsen multiple times. Pentala Harikrishna, another celebrated Indian chess player, has also triumphed over Carlsen.

Gujrathi's journey to chess success began as a "happy accident". Initially aspiring to be a cricketer, he turned to chess at the age of six after a local club advised him to wait before pursuing cricket professionally. Discovering chess and playing against his father became an appealing opportunity. Gujrathi, part of the Indian men's team that secured a historic gold at the Chess Olympiad, had to choose between defending his title at the Vugar Gashimov Memorial Chess Super Tournament in Azerbaijan and attending a felicitation ceremony with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Opting to meet with the Prime Minister, Gujrathi emphasized the honor and the significance of the occasion.

While Karthikeyan Murali holds the distinction of being the only Indian to beat Magnus Carlsen with black in the last 14 years, numerous other Indian Grandmasters have also demonstrated their skill and determination by defeating the world champion. These victories highlight the growing strength and depth of Indian chess on the global stage.