Magnus Carlsen Suffers First Classical Loss to Gukesh at Norway Chess

At the 2025 Norway Chess tournament, Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen experienced a rare and frustrating defeat to 19-year-old Indian world champion Gukesh Dommaraju, marking Gukesh's first classical game win against Carlsen. The loss came after Carlsen blundered under time pressure, leading to a dramatic endgame where Gukesh launched a decisive counterattack, prompting Carlsen to slam his fist on the table in frustration before apologizing and shaking hands. Despite this setback, Carlsen remains a top contender in the tournament standings alongside Fabiano Caruana, while Gukesh's victory has boosted his confidence and positioned him closely behind the leaders. Earlier rounds featured other notable games, such as Arjun Erigaisi's comeback win over Caruana and Wei Yi's second victory against Carlsen, highlighting the intense competition. Carlsen, widely regarded as one of the greatest chess players ever, has held the world's No. 1 ranking for over a decade and is known for his exceptional endgame skills, making this loss particularly surprising. The incident sparked discussions about sportsmanship in chess, with many noting that while Carlsen's reaction was uncharacteristic, it was a relatable display of competitive frustration.