D Gukesh Shocks Magnus Carlsen with Comeback Win at Norway Chess as Emotions Boil Over

In a game that could only be described as a modern-day chess thriller, reigning world champion D Gukesh pulled off a stunning victory over Norwegian legend Magnus Carlsen during Round 6 of the prestigious Norway Chess tournament. The 19-year-old Indian Grandmaster, who had lost to Carlsen earlier in the event, turned the tables with a spectacular comeback—sending shockwaves through the tournament and prompting an uncharacteristic emotional outburst from Carlsen.

Playing with the white pieces, Gukesh held his nerve in what looked like a lost position for much of the match. Carlsen, the five-time world champion and current World No. 1, appeared to be firmly in control before a critical blunder under time pressure flipped the game on its head. Gukesh seized the opportunity and delivered his first classical victory over the Norwegian maestro, equalizing their head-to-head score and reigniting the championship race.

The drama didn’t end on the board. As the game concluded, an evidently devastated Carlsen punched the table in front of a stunned audience and stormed out of the venue, reportedly rushing straight into his car without any post-game remarks. The moment captured the rare vulnerability of a player who is often the picture of icy composure—even in defeat.

According to legendary chess figure Susan Polgar, this may have been one of the most painful losses in Carlsen’s illustrious career. “He rarely makes such mistakes in classical time control. He had more time and a winning position, yet the pressure broke him,” she noted in a social media post.

What makes this victory even more historic is its symbolic resonance. For the second consecutive year, an Indian teenager has managed to outplay Carlsen in classical format at the Norway Chess tournament—last year it was R Praggnanandhaa, and now it’s Gukesh, the youngest world champion in chess history.

Gukesh’s mother, Padmakumari, in an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, revealed the emotional weight of the win. “He looked surprised that Carlsen made a mistake,” she said, highlighting her son’s quiet resilience and focus. The teenager was seen later sharing a celebratory fist bump with his coach Grzegorz Gajewski, one that reportedly left the coach’s hand ringing—a small but poignant symbol of Gukesh’s growing confidence.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. This win catapults Gukesh to 8.5 points, putting him just behind Carlsen and American Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana, who are tied at the top. With the tournament entering its final rounds, the title race has been blown wide open.

As for Carlsen, the loss cuts deep—not just because of the scoreboard, but because it happened in his own backyard, in front of a home crowd in Stavanger. Just days earlier, after defeating Gukesh in Round 1, Carlsen posted a cryptic message on social media: “You come at the king, you best not miss.”

Turns out, the new king didn’t miss.