Magnus Carlsen Slams Table After Stunning Loss to Teen Chess Champ Gukesh Dommaraju

In what’s being dubbed the “turnaround of the year”, teen chess prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju pulled off a shocking upset against five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen at the 2025 Norway Chess Tournament on Sunday.

The 19-year-old Indian grandmaster capitalized on an uncharacteristic misstep by Carlsen and sealed a 3-0 classical victory — his first-ever over the Norwegian legend. The dramatic moment unfolded at Finansparken in Stavanger, where Gukesh’s precision and composure delivered a statement win against one of the greatest chess players of all time.

A Rare Outburst from Carlsen

The tension in the room reached a boiling point when Carlsen, visibly stunned by the loss, slammed his fist on the table before quickly shaking Gukesh’s hand and exiting the venue. He skipped post-match interviews, leaving fans and commentators equally shocked — not just by the result, but by the outburst from a player known for his typically calm demeanor.

Commentators were taken aback by the show of frustration. Carlsen later admitted he couldn’t fully grasp his opponent’s approach:

“I don’t completely understand what (Gukesh’s) concept is here. It seems to me that I just have excellent play,” he remarked.

Gukesh: “Just a Lucky Day!”

Despite his modesty, Gukesh’s win was far from accidental. It marked a huge milestone in his young career.

“99 out of 100 times, I would lose. Just a lucky day!” he said, adding with a smile,
“First classical win against Magnus — not the way I wanted it to be, but OK, I’ll take it.”

The win cements Gukesh’s rise as one of the most exciting new faces in the global chess scene. He became the youngest-ever classical world chess champion last year and continues to impress with both humility and grit.

“This Moment Had It All”

British grandmaster David Howell called the result the “turnaround of the year,” praising not just the outcome but the raw emotion it brought to the board.

“Focus. Brilliance. Raw passion, anger, shock. Elation. Sportsmanship. This moment had it all,” Howell posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Tournament Standings & Prize

Despite the loss, Carlsen remains at the top of the Norway Chess standings, with four rounds still to go. Gukesh’s win moves him into third place — and firmly into the spotlight.

The tournament features a total prize pool of approximately $148,000, with nearly $62,000 awarded to the overall winner.

Source: CNN – Magnus Carlsen slams table in frustration after shock loss to world champion Gukesh Dommaraju in ‘turnaround of the year’