Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin addressed a viral incident where Armenian player Emin Ohanyan reacted angrily after losing a blitz game during TakeTakeTake’s Titled Tuesday event. Ohanyan made an obscene gesture toward the screen following a critical mistake. Sarin stated he was not offended by the outburst.
The controversy arose during an online blitz match in TakeTakeTake’s Titled Tuesday tournament, pitting India’s Nihal Sarin against Armenia’s Emin Ohanyan. In a tense endgame, Sarin held a rook and pawn advantage while playing Black, facing Ohanyan’s bishop and pawn. Both players maneuvered cautiously, but Sarin was lower on the clock and appeared at risk of losing on time.
Ohanyan then made a premature move, anticipating Sarin’s response. Sarin quickly capitalized, capturing Ohanyan’s rook to secure the victory. Visibly frustrated, Ohanyan stood up, flipped off the camera twice—gesturing toward the screen—and stormed away from his setup.
The clip spread rapidly online after TakeTakeTake shared it with the caption, “we’ve all been there.” Backlash ensued, with viewers labeling the reaction “utterly embarrassing.” The post was later removed, and the organizers clarified that the gestures targeted the game itself, not Sarin personally, emphasizing that such frustration is common but not condoned if directed at opponents.
Sarin, 21, responded on X on February 26, 2026: “Regarding the recent incident, I want to clarify that I was not offended. Things happen in the heat of the moment — no big deal. cc @TakeTakeTakeApp.” He has continued strong performances, winning the Rapid section at the Tata Steel Chess India in Kolkata in January 2026 with 6.5 points, edging out five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand by half a point. At the World Rapid Championship in Doha, Sarin placed 19th after entering late due to D Gukesh’s withdrawal, despite being seeded 24th.
The episode highlights the intense emotions in competitive chess, even in online formats.
