Magnus Carlsen Overcome by D Gukesh Punches the Table

D Gukesh Topples Magnus Carlsen in Historic Norway Chess Victory

On Sunday in Stavanger the feelings were more powerful than the scoreboard. After World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen punched the table in frustration after losing to defending world champion D Gukesh in one of his most painful losses. The fervent response was dramatic but characteristically Carlsen particularly given how completely he had dominated the prestigious Norway Opens Round 6 before making a mistake only days after defeating the Indian Grandmaster in perfect score. 

Gukesh sat across the board surprised by the outcome of a game he had been losing most of the time. He was still trying to comprehend what he had just seen and soaking up the emotion of a historic victory. 

In the sixth round Gukesh defeated Carlsen in classical time control for the first time in his career making a statement in Carlsen’s own backyard. When playing with the white pieces the Indian teenager remained resilient and took advantage of a rare error made by the 34-year-old Norwegian Grandmaster in the endgame to turn it into a memorable victory. 

Gukesh on the other hand was obviously thrilled. He gave his long-time coach Grzegorz Gajewski the hardest fist bump the Pole had ever experienced from the Indian teenager in the playing arenas lobby. 

Gukesh’s victory was a comeback after he had lost to Carlsen with black pieces in the first round of the invitational six-player round-robin competition known as Norway Chess. 

OH MY GOD 😳🤯😲 pic.twitter.com/QSbbrvQFkE

— Norway Chess (@NorwayChess) June 1, 2025

Carlsen lost to an Indian teenager in the classical format at Norway Chess for the second time in as many years. He was joined this year by the current world champion who was R Praggnanandhaa last year. For a large portion of the game Carlsen appeared to be in control but like the erratic Stavanger weather everything changed suddenly. 

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Carlsen’s Most Around Loss in Career?

Susan Polgar, a legend, explained the magnitude of Carlsens defeat by Gukesh. 

Carlsen rarely makes major mistakes or loses at classical chess. He was dominating Gukesh in round six in Norway with the black pieces. With more time remaining he was in a winning position. However, Gukesh persisted. Carlsen’s edge gradually vanished as he kept fighting. Then under time pressure he made a huge mistake that cost him the game. One of the most agonizing losses in his incredible career must be this one. He must be furious with himself, she remarked.

Carlsen outplayed Gukesh, made massive blunder to lose a winning game!

This is the biggest shock of the year! Carlsen rarely loses in classical chess, and he rarely commits big blunders. He was playing so well with the black pieces in round 6 in Norway against Gukesh. He had a… pic.twitter.com/vwwPwEdMqZ

— Susan Polgar (@SusanPolgar) June 1, 2025

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After Cryptic Insta Post Stinging Defeat

The loss seemed to have devastated Carlsen as the World No. Guess classical game and his ability to remain composed under gradual time constraints had been frequently criticized by me. Carlsen hurried out of the competition venue and into his car after slamming the board in frustration.

Days after outplaying Gukesh with the white pieces in Round 1 of the prestigious tournament Carlsen suffered a painful defeat. 

Carlsen posted a mysterious message on social media after that earlier victory: You better not miss when you come at the king. The post was immediately interpreted by fans as Carlsen calling himself the King of classical chess. 

In 2025 Carlsen won his fifth World Championship but he decided not to defend it. He took a hiatus from classical chess for a while and his match against Gukesh at Norway Chess was his first since the Indian prodigy emerged victorious as the youngest world champion in history the previous year.

Elsewhere Arjun Erigaisis victory over Chinese Grandmaster Wei Yi capped off a successful round for the Indian contingent making it a day to remember for Indian chess. 

Prior to Round 6 Carlsen had 9.5 points ahead of Hikaru Nakamura (6.5) and Fabiano Caruana (8). As the tournament moves into its pivotal final rounds Gukesh’s huge victory has upended the title race.