Indian Chess Prodigy D Gukesh Stuns Magnus Carlsen with First Classical Win at Norway Chess 2025

In a dramatic and historic encounter at the Norway Chess 2025 tournament, 19-year-old Indian Grandmaster Dommaraju Gukesh delivered a stunning upset by defeating former world number one Magnus Carlsen in a classical game for the first time in his career. The victory, achieved in Round 6 on June 1, has been hailed as one of the biggest upsets of the year and a testament to Gukesh’s resilience and fighting spirit.
The game was a rollercoaster, with Carlsen dominating for most of the match and maintaining a winning position for a significant duration. However, Gukesh’s perseverance paid off in a tense time scramble when Carlsen made a critical blunder, allowing the young Indian to turn the tables and seal the victory. Gukesh himself admitted the win was unexpected, saying, “99 out of 100 times I would lose, but it was just a lucky day”.
Carlsen’s frustration was palpable as he banged the table and scattered pieces in disbelief after the loss. Despite this, he acknowledged Gukesh’s fighting qualities and youthful energy, praising the Indian prodigy’s stubbornness and resourcefulness. “Sometimes your energy, fighting qualities, and just optimism are bigger than the quality of your moves,” Carlsen remarked, highlighting the spirit behind Gukesh’s win.
Gukesh’s coach, Grandmaster Vishnu Prasanna, lauded his student’s tenacity, noting that Gukesh was aware he was in a losing position for much of the game but kept fighting until the very end. This victory propelled Gukesh to third place in the Norway Chess standings, just one point behind Carlsen and American Fabiano Caruana, intensifying the competition at the top.
The match also sparked a wave of support and admiration for Gukesh worldwide, although unfortunately, it was marred by some racist abuse on social media. The Norway Chess organizers condemned such hateful remarks, reaffirming their commitment to respect and sportsmanship in the game.
This landmark victory not only marks a significant milestone in Gukesh’s burgeoning career but also signals the arrival of a new generation of chess talent ready to challenge the established elite on the global stage.
Comments
Post a Comment