The chess world was taken by surprise on 1 June 2025, when the world number 1, Magnus Carlsen, lost to the young world champion Gukesh D. In a dramatic round of Norway Chess 2025, Carlsen dominated most of the game and made a last-minute blunder, leading to the loss. The loss was not only unexpected but deeply painful, evident from the emotional outburst of Carlsen on the board.
What Really Happened?
Magnus Carlsen slammed the table just after losing the game and yelled, “Oh my god.” It was pretty evident that he was shaken to the core by this defeat. His reaction to the loss quickly went viral on social media and was hailed as the “biggest shock of the year.” This upset was not just a game to both players; it was everything to them. Gukesh D and Magnus Carlsen’s chess rivalry started ever since Gukesh became the world champion in 2024. Magnus has always been open about the fact that he thinks Gukesh is not good enough and not impressive overall. The game between them had been a much-awaited affair.
Why Did It Mean So Much?
The match saw Carlsen outplaying Gukesh for most of its 62 moves, but as the clock ticked down, Carlsen blundered. This error was enough for Gukesh to seize the victory. He even appeared to be shocked after the win and admitted that “99 out of 100 times, I would lose.”
What Did Magnus Carlsen Say About The Loss To Gukesh D?
The whole chess community had been trying to decipher the meaning of Carlsen’s reaction, but it seems like we can stop guessing now. Magnus Carlsen, himself, has opened up about the loss, citing it as “painful.”
He said, “That was a really painful loss. Those hit a lot harder. Honestly, part of me, when I had that loss (to Gukesh) recently, just felt it was so dumb and so unnecessary. It just made me feel so kind of washed and useless that my thought for a few days was just ‘I’m not sure why I’m doing this.’ When I win, it’s good, but it feels kind of normal. Then when I lose, it’s just, you know, for a moment, the world just falls apart.”
Even though Carlsen ended up winning the Norway Chess 2025 after a tightly contested battle with Gukesh, he admitted that the game against Gukesh would “stick” with him. He later revealed that he might consider retiring from the classical format altogether, as it doesn’t interest him anymore.
Also Read: “Once-in-a-generation” For A Reason, Magnus Carlsen Claims
