Magnus Carlsen 'Disappointed' After Rare Blunder Against Gukesh, Slams Table in Frustration

In a historic upset at the Norway Chess 2024 tournament, 19-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju won his first classical game against five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen, rattling the leaderboard and sparking international headlines.

The round-six victories in Stavanger were more than just tournament points. For the Indian prodigy, it was a milestone moment he will never forget.

Gukesh, now the youngest ever undisputed world chess champion, took advantage of an unusual Carlsen mistake in time trouble, turning the game around at the last moment and giving the Norwegian a shocking defeat.

Carlsen, clearly infuriated, pounded the table and left the building, forgoing post-game interviews. It was an unusual outburst of emotion from one of the sport's most even-keeled players.

Gukesh's Breakthrough: Turning Defense into Victory

Magnus Carlsen 'Disappointed' After Rare Blunder Against Gukesh, Slams Table

The game went with Carlsen in command of the middlegame, well on his way to yet another effortless victory after outclassing Gukesh in their first-round battle. But with both sides working on a just 10-second increment, time pressure started to affect moves.

According to The Guardian, Carlsen blundered with 52.Ne2+?? move, enabling Gukesh to stage a combative and accurate counterattack. In a matter of seconds, the momentum had shifted. Carlsen resigned within minutes, and Gukesh took home a win that will be remembered far beyond this event.

"Right now, what means the most to me is that I didn't lose the game," Gukesh said. "But yes, beating Magnus in any form is special."

A Response to Carlsen's Criticism

The win was also a roundabout response to Carlsen's previous dig. Having defeated Gukesh in the first round, Carlsen had posted a cryptic tweet quoting, "You come at the king, you best not miss."

On Sunday, Gukesh did not miss, and the consequence was louder than words could have been.

Gukesh's coach, Grzegorz Gajewski, credited his student's resilience. He praised Guki's stubbornness and resourcefulness throughout the game.

Political Recognition and National Pride

Among the many congratulating Gukesh was Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who called the victory "an exceptional achievement" and praised the teen for his "brilliance and dedication." It was a well-fought win for the younger chess master.

The victory took Gukesh to 8½ points, a single point behind co-leaders Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana, with four games to go. The victory could also prove a decisive confidence-booster, as Gukesh had only won once previously in the tournament.

Back in April, Carlsen criticized Gukesh's struggles in freestyle chess. He said that the younger player wasn't even close to his brilliance.

And now, the tables have turned in a blink. If Gukesh defeats Carlsen in freestyle chess, he could have the last laugh behind those words.