World champion D Gukesh stunned World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in Round 6 of Norway Chess 2025. However, the match ended with a scene no one expected. Carlsen, visibly rattled after a sudden collapse in a game he had been dominating, punched the table in frustration.
Under increment-based time control that mimics rapid conditions, Carlsen faltered. One rare blunder was all it took. Gukesh, showing nerves of steel and tactical precision, flipped the script with a brilliant counterattack and converted a losing position into a famous victory his first-ever win over Carlsen in classical format.
As Carlsen realised what had transpired, his emotions boiled over. Known for wearing his heart on his sleeve, the five-time world champion slammed his fist on the table, a striking expression of disbelief and anger.
The win was especially sweet for Gukesh, who had lost to Carlsen in the tournament opener with the black pieces. This time, playing white, he showed resilience, maturity, and the kind of calm under pressure that has defined his meteoric rise.
It also marked the second straight year an Indian teenager has beaten Carlsen in classical time control at Norway Chess last year it was R Praggnanandhaa, now Gukesh.
Across the board, Gukesh was still processing the magnitude of what he had achieved. The 18-year-old looked stunned, then slowly allowed the triumph to sink in. Later, in the lobby of the playing hall, he greeted his long-time coach Grzegorz Gajewski with what the Polish GM described as “the hardest fist bump I’ve ever received from him.”
Why win over Carlsen carries weightage?
Carlsen had not played a classical game since choosing not to defend his world title in 2025, and Gukesh’s win came against the very man who reigned over the sport for more than a decade. For Carlsen, it was a bitter reminder of how quickly fortunes can turn even for the best
