Gukesh’s Epic Triumph Over Carlsen at Norway Chess 2025
What a day for Indian chess! On June 1, 2025, 19-year-old World Champion D Gukesh pulled off a jaw-dropping victory against Magnus Carlsen,
What a day for Indian chess! On June 1, 2025, 19-year-old World Champion D Gukesh pulled off a jaw-dropping victory against Magnus Carlsen, the world’s top-rated player, in Round 6 of Norway Chess 2025. This wasn’t just a win—it was Gukesh’s first classical victory over Carlsen, a seismic moment in Stavanger that left fans buzzing and Carlsen slamming the table in frustration. Chess.com
The game was a rollercoaster. Carlsen, playing Black, dominated early with near-perfect precision, boasting 98.7% accuracy by move 28. Gukesh admitted he was “dead lost” for most of the match, saying, “99 out of 100 times, I would lose.” But the Indian prodigy hung tough, clawing his way back as Carlsen faltered under time pressure. A critical blunder on move 52—a miscalculated knight move—handed Gukesh the opening he needed. With ice-cold composure, he converted the position into a stunning win after 62 moves. The Hindu
This triumph wasn’t just personal for Gukesh; it was a proud moment for Indian chess. Following Praggnanandhaa’s win over Carlsen last year, Gukesh became the second Indian to topple the Norwegian giant in classical play at Norway Chess. His victory propelled him to third place with 8.5 points, just one behind Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana. Meanwhile, Arjun Erigaisi added to India’s stellar day by defeating Wei Yi in Armageddon. Times Now
Gukesh’s resilience shone through, proving why he’s the youngest-ever World Champion. As he told ChessBase India, “I’ve banged a lot of tables in my career,” empathizing with Carlsen’s frustration. This win signals a generational shift—India’s chess stars are here to stay. ChessBase India
Pushpender Yadav
Pushpender Yadav
