Magnus Carlsen's First Reaction After Losing to Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh

Magnus Carlsen, a day after his unexpected loss to D Gukesh in Round 6 of the Norway Chess tournament, acknowledged the young Indian grandmaster’s relentless energy and determination, crediting those traits for Gukesh’s victory. The 19-year-old defeated Carlsen in a tightly contested classical game, prompting a rare emotional outburst from the former world champion, who slammed his fist on the table, scattering the pieces, before collecting himself and congratulating Gukesh.

Reflecting on the game, Carlsen remarked that Gukesh’s youthful spirit, enthusiasm, and persistence played a decisive role, even though the quality of his moves may not have always been superior. “I remember being his age, and sometimes your sheer drive and optimism outweigh the precision of your moves,” Carlsen noted.

Although visibly more composed after winning the Armageddon tie-break against World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura, Carlsen admitted that the sting of Sunday night’s loss still lingered. He stressed that despite holding a better position for most of the game, he failed to capitalize. “He kept fighting and seized his moment. On a normal day, I would win that game,” Carlsen said, adding that such chances must not be squandered at this level.

He went on to praise Gukesh’s fighting instincts, emphasizing that the teenager always stays alert to opportunities, no matter how slim, and deserved full credit for his win.

Looking ahead, Carlsen hinted at re-evaluating his participation in future editions of the Norway Chess tournament. Expressing a lack of enthusiasm for classical formats, he shared that he might shift focus toward faster-paced formats like blitz or freestyle. “Losses hurt in any format, but if I’m going to lose, I’d rather it be in something I enjoy. Yesterday made me question why I still play classical chess,” he said.

Despite his reservations, Carlsen intends to complete the tournament’s final three rounds. In Round 7, he and Nakamura agreed to a swift 21-move draw before Carlsen won the ensuing Armageddon decider. “Winning the tie-break was the best possible outcome for me,” he said, adding that a spontaneous tactical discovery helped secure the win.

Carlsen also mentioned turning to golf-his secondary passion-as a welcome distraction, saying it offers him time to relax with his wife before tournament matches. “It’s good to clear my mind with golf and enjoy some downtime,” he concluded.