Gukesh Shocks Carlsen: Indian Teen Stuns Chess Legend at Norway Chess

India’s rising chess prodigy D Gukesh delivered a stunning upset on Sunday, May 1, by defeating five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen at the prestigious Norway Chess tournament. The victory marked one of the most significant wins of Gukesh’s young career, as he outplayed the home favorite in a tense classical match. Staying grounded despite the historic achievement, Gukesh said, “I would have lost 99 out of 100 times. It was just a lucky day.” His humility and poise stood out, exemplifying sportsmanship in a game that demands both mental resilience and grace.

The dramatic finish saw Carlsen lose control during a critical time scramble, prompting an uncharacteristically emotional reaction. The Norwegian grandmaster slammed the table and stormed out following the defeat. Gukesh later explained, “I was just trying to play moves that were tricky for him, and luckily he got into time trouble. One thing I learnt from this tournament is that time scrambles can get too much out of control.” At just 18, Gukesh continues to turn heads in the chess world, and this victory over Carlsen only solidifies his place among the sport’s brightest stars.