In a landmark moment at the 2025 Norway Chess tournament, 19-year-old Indian Grandmaster and reigning World Champion D. Gukesh achieved his first classical victory over World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in Round 6. The game was intense, with Carlsen maintaining a dominant position for most of the match. However, a critical error during the time scramble allowed Gukesh to capitalize and secure the win.
Magnus Carlsen’s Reaction and Public Response
Carlsen’s reaction to the unexpected loss was notably uncharacteristic. He slammed his fist onto the table, causing pieces to scatter, and exited the playing area abruptly. Although he did shake hands with Gukesh before leaving, his visible frustration drew criticism from fans and commentators, with some labeling his behavior as “graceless.” Carlsen later acknowledged the emotional impact of the defeat, stating that on a normal day, he would have won the game.
Gukesh’s Composure and Community Support
Despite the tension, Gukesh remained composed and gracious in his victory. He expressed that defeating Carlsen was special and emphasized the emotional strain of competitive chess. The chess community and Gukesh’s supporters rallied behind him, especially after he faced online trolling following the match. Businessman Anand Mahindra highlighted Carlsen’s reaction as a backhanded compliment to Gukesh’s skill.
Tournament Standings and Carlsen’s Future in Classical Chess
Following this match, the tournament standings saw Fabiano Caruana leading with 12.5 points, Carlsen closely trailing at 12 points, and Gukesh tied with Hikaru Nakamura at 11.5 points. In the aftermath, Carlsen hinted at a potential departure from classical chess, expressing that he might no longer enjoy the format.
This match stands as a significant milestone in Gukesh’s career and a pivotal moment in the 2025 Norway Chess tournament.
D. Gukesh Dommaraju is an Indian chess grandmaster who has rapidly ascended the ranks to become the youngest undisputed World Chess Champion in history. Born on May 29, 2006, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Gukesh hails from a Telugu family with roots in Chenchuraju Kandriga, Andhra Pradesh. His father, Dr. Rajinikanth, is an ENT surgeon, and his mother, Dr. Padmakumari, is a microbiologist. Gukesh attended Velammal Vidyalaya School in Chennai before focusing entirely on chess.
Early Life and Chess Beginnings
Gukesh began playing chess at the age of seven and quickly demonstrated exceptional talent. He won the World Youth Chess Championship in the under-12 category in 2018 and secured five gold medals at the Asian Youth Chess Championship in the same year. At just 12 years old, he became the second-youngest grandmaster in history on January 15, 2019. His rapid rise continued as he surpassed a FIDE rating of 2700 at the age of 16 and later became the youngest player to cross a rating of 2750 in 2023.
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2022: Gukesh won the individual gold medal on the first board at the 44th Chess Olympiad in Chennai and contributed to India’s team bronze. He also helped India secure silver at the 2022 Asian Games.
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2023: He reached the quarterfinals of the Chess World Cup, defeating top players before falling to Magnus Carlsen. In September, he became the top-rated Indian player, surpassing Viswanathan Anand’s 37-year record.
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2024: Gukesh won both team and individual gold medals at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest. He also became the youngest-ever winner of the Candidates Tournament, earning the right to challenge Ding Liren for the World Chess Championship.
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December 2024: In a historic match in Singapore, Gukesh defeated Ding Liren with a score of 7.5–6.5, becoming the youngest undisputed World Chess Champion at 18 years and 195 days old, surpassing Garry Kasparov’s previous record.
Gukesh is known for his reactive playing style and exceptional calculation skills, particularly under time pressure. His mentor, Viswanathan Anand, describes him as having “incredible calculating abilities.” Magnus Carlsen has noted that Gukesh’s style is “pure counter,” making him an “extremely dangerous opponent under any circumstances.”
Gukesh’s journey to the top has been marked by dedication and sacrifice. At the age of 10, he turned professional, and by 12, he had become a grandmaster. His father left his medical career to support Gukesh’s chess endeavors, highlighting the family’s commitment to his success. Gukesh’s achievements have inspired a new generation of chess enthusiasts in India and around the world