Did Gukesh Just Stun Carlsen in Norway?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- D. Gukesh achieved his first classical win against World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen.
- Gukesh displayed remarkable composure and tactical skill under pressure.
- The match was part of the prestigious Norway Chess 2025 tournament.
- Carlsen's late blunder opened the door for Gukesh's victory.
- This match highlights the emergence of a new generation in chess.
Stavanger (Norway), June 2 (NationPress) — The chess community held its collective breath as 19-year-old Indian chess sensation D. Gukesh faced off against the reigning champion, Magnus Carlsen, in a match that would mark a significant chapter in contemporary chess history.
During the Norway Chess 2025 tournament on Sunday, Gukesh achieved a remarkable feat by defeating the local favorite Carlsen in classical chess—this victory stands as his inaugural triumph against the world’s top player in this format.
Carlsen, wielding the white pieces, maintained the upper hand for much of the contest, applying steady pressure throughout. However, Gukesh demonstrated extraordinary composure, defending with remarkable accuracy. As the game intensified under the increment-based time control, a critical blunder from Carlsen opened the door for Gukesh, who seized the opportunity without delay.
“There wasn’t much left for me to do. I just needed to make the most of the chance,” Gukesh remarked post-match.
“I was making moves that posed challenges for him, and fortunately, he fell into a time scramble. One lesson I’ve taken from this tournament is that time scrambles can spiral out of control.”
With characteristic humility, he added, “Ninety-nine out of a hundred times, I would have lost. Today was just my lucky day.”
Carlsen, visibly disgruntled, slammed the chessboard and exited the venue briskly. In contrast, Gukesh celebrated quietly with his coach Grzegorz Gajewski, relishing this pivotal victory in his career.
The two had previously competed in the tournament’s opening round, where Carlsen had narrowly won with his renowned endgame skills. However, on this occasion, it was Gukesh who remained steadfast when it mattered the most.
Norway Chess is recognized as one of the elite events in the chess world, showcasing top male and female players in a unique six-player double round-robin format. The 2025 edition is taking place from May 26 to June 6 in Stavanger.