Young Gukesh Beats Chess Legend Carlsen – Leaves the Champion Questioning Himself

In a jaw-dropping Round 6 match at the Norway Chess 2025 tournament, 18-year-old Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh pulled off a sensational upset against World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen. The four-hour-long classical game, which stretched over 62 strategic moves, saw Gukesh claw his way back from a disadvantaged position to clinch his first-ever classical win over the Norwegian legend.

Carlsen, known for his calm and composed demeanor, appeared visibly shaken. After resigning, he slammed the table in frustration before managing a sportsmanlike handshake and a pat on Gukesh’s back. But the emotional toll of the loss ran deeper than the surface tension of the moment.

“I Don’t Think It’s Fun Anymore” — Carlsen’s Candid Confession

In a surprisingly vulnerable interview with TV 2 Sport, Carlsen reflected on the loss with rare emotional honesty, revealing a growing disconnect with the game he once dominated with unmatched joy and flair.

“I just don’t think it’s fun to play anymore,” Carlsen admitted. “I sit there and feel like I’m playing the same positions I’ve seen a hundred times. It’s all moving so slowly. I know I can play well, and it feels good when I do—but then I collapse like this, and it shows serious weaknesses.”

This startling admission hints at deeper burnout or disillusionment for the former World Champion, who had earlier withdrawn from the FIDE World Championship cycle, choosing instead to focus on elite tournaments on his own terms.

Gukesh: Humble in Victory, Wise Beyond His Years

Despite the seismic nature of his win, Gukesh remained modest and grounded in his post-match reflections with Chess24.

“I was just trying to make things tricky for him, and fortunately, he got into a time scramble. Honestly, 99 out of 100 times I would’ve lost. Just a lucky day,” he said with a quiet smile.

He also offered a valuable takeaway from the match: “One thing I’ve learned is that time scrambles can really spiral out of control. You just have to stay sharp.”

Gukesh’s triumph is more than a personal milestone—it signals the coming-of-age of the next generation in chess, and perhaps, the beginning of a new chapter in global dominance beyond the Carlsen era.

The Bigger Picture

Carlsen’s defeat to a teenager making his mark sends ripples through the chess world, raising questions about motivation, mental fatigue, and the transition of power. Gukesh’s cool-headed tenacity and Carlsen’s candid self-doubt offer a dramatic, almost symbolic, clash between youthful ambition and a champion’s weary brilliance.