Stavanger, Norway – In a momentous game at the Norway Chess 2025 tournament, reigning world champion D Gukesh secured his first-ever classical victory over world No.1 Magnus Carlsen, overcoming a seemingly lost position in dramatic fashion.
Despite his remarkable achievement, the 19-year-old Indian chess prodigy remained grounded. “I don’t know, I’m still kind of shaken from that game,” Gukesh told Norwegian broadcaster TV2. “There wasn’t much I could do—it was clearly lost. I was just trying to find moves that might trouble him a little. Luckily, it went into a time scramble.”
A Comeback from the Brink
Carlsen, playing with the black pieces, appeared in complete control for most of the match. But as the endgame approached, Gukesh began to claw back, relying on defensive resilience and tactical ingenuity. It was on move 52, following a slight miscalculation by Carlsen (Ne2+), that the tide turned.
From there, Gukesh capitalised on the rare opportunity and converted the advantage after 62 moves. “99 out of 100 times I would lose that game,” Gukesh admitted. “Just a lucky day. First classical win over Magnus—not the way I expected or wanted it to be, but I’ll take it.”
A Contrast in Reactions
The win was made even more significant given the backdrop. Carlsen had defeated Gukesh in the opening round of the tournament last week and posted a bold social media message proclaiming himself the “king” of chess. The Indian champion, however, made no such declaration. Instead, he stayed humble—even reverent—towards Carlsen, whom he has previously called “the best player in the world.”
While Gukesh celebrated quietly, Carlsen’s frustration was visible. The Norwegian grandmaster, a five-time world champion, was seen slamming the table in disbelief after the match.
What Lies Ahead
Despite the loss, Carlsen still leads the Norway Chess 2025 tournament alongside Fabiano Caruana, both at 9.5 points after six rounds. Gukesh is close behind at 8.5 points, firmly in the title race.
The win not only marks a personal milestone for Gukesh but also reinforces his steady rise to the top of global chess. Though he described the victory as fortunate, it reflects the young champion’s resilience and strategic depth.
“In this endgame, I was trying to get some kind of Ng5… and luckily, after Kf6 and h4, I found some spite checks. It just worked,” Gukesh said, summarising a game that will be remembered as a turning point in his rivalry with the Norwegian great.
