Carlsen beat Erigaisi in the TePe Sigeman playoff to claim the title. The world number one needed every bit of his experience to get past the rising Indian star, who has been playing at an elite level consistently this year.
The playoff format put both players on edge. Carlsen won the main tournament and earned the right to face Erigaisi, who finished second. These high-pressure matches separate the pretenders from the contenders, and Carlsen delivered when it mattered most.
Erigaisi has closed the gap to the world's best. His rating keeps climbing, and his tournament results prove he belongs in the conversation with the elite. But Carlsen's composure in the playoff showed why he remains the standard. The world champion finds another gear when the stakes spike.
This result matters for the rating list. Carlsen stays ahead, but Erigaisi keeps chasing. The Indian GM is knocking on the door of 2800, and he will win these matches soon enough if he continues this trajectory. For now, though, Carlsen's ability to win when everything is on the line remains unmatched. Sigeman goes to the top dog once again.