Internet calls Magnus Carlsen 'sore loser' after slamming table during loss to Gukesh at Norway Chess 2025: 'Pathetic behaviour'

Time of India

2 days ago

In a dramatic sixth-round clash at the Norway Chess 2025 tournament, World Champion Dommaraju Gukesh pulled off a remarkable win over former champion and top-ranked Magnus Carlsen. This marks Gukesh's first-ever classical win against Carlsen, levelling their head-to-head score in the tournament at 1-1. The match saw Gukesh on the defensive for most of the game, but he showed incredible grit, holding on despite being in a clearly lost position.
As Carlsen fell into time trouble, the game took a turn. A rare blunder from Carlsen gave Gukesh a slim opening, and the young champion didn't miss. He played accurately and calmly to convert the position into a win, sealing a historic moment in his career.
Just a lucky day: Gukesh after defeating Mangus Carlsen
Despite the importance of the win, Gukesh remained humble in his post-game comments. 'Well, there wasn't much I could really do; it was just clearly lost, so I was trying to make moves which kind of were tricky for him, and luckily he got into a time scramble,' the 19-year-old said. 'Yeah, one thing I learned from this tournament is that time scrambles can be too much out of control. 99 out of 100 times, I would lose. Just a lucky day!' He added, 'First classical win against Magnus—I mean, not the way I wanted it to be—but okay, I'll take it.'
Gukesh:"99 out of 100 times I would lose. Just a lucky day!""First classical win against Magnus, I mean, not the way I wanted it to be, but okay I'll take it."#NorwayChess pic.twitter.com/80Bm8EXhIE
Magnus slammed the table in frustration
But what captured attention online wasn't just the result; it was Magnus Carlsen's frustrated reaction to his loss. Carlsen, who has been openly critical of Gukesh's classical play in the past, especially under time pressure, looked visibly shaken after the loss.
Shortly after being defeated by Gukesh, he was caught on camera slamming the table and offering what many interpreted as a reluctant fist bump. While he was soon seen shaking hands with Gukesh and patting his back, seemingly congratulating the Indian prodigy for his win, many found his table-slam moment in poor taste. The moment quickly went viral, with fans calling out the chess legend for poor sportsmanship.
GUKESH BEATS MAGNUS CARLSEN. 🇮🇳- The frustration from Magnus after the defeat. 😲pic.twitter.com/SisoNJNDoe
Internet reacts: 'Magnus should've handled this with grace'
Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) was quick to react to the scene. Many praised Gukesh's calm demeanour and criticised Carlsen's apparent frustration. One user wrote, 'This is probably the biggest moment of Gukesh's life, and this pathetic behaviour by the world's No.1 is just disappointing. Magnus should've handled this with grace.'
This is probably the biggest moment of Gukesh's life and this pathetic behaviour by the World's no1 is just disappointing. Magnus should've handled this with grace.
Another said, 'This should not be allowed! Chess federation should address this issue.'
This should not be allowed! Chess federation should address this issue.
The reactions didn't stop there. Several fans took the opportunity to point out what they felt was a pattern in Carlsen's behaviour when things don't go his way. One user wrote, 'He doesn't think that Gukesh deserves to be world champion and that arrogance came out when he lost to him.' @Trollerguy1377
He doesn't think that gukesh deserves to be world champion and that arrogance came out when he lost to him.
Another added, 'I am getting tired of Magnus's antics. After a loss, at least congratulate your opponent properly. What is this with banging the table?' They also referenced past criticisms of the world championship format and suggestions that Gukesh didn't truly earn the title.
I am getting tired of Magnus's antics and after a loss at least congratulate your opponent properly. What is this with banging of the table? These men questioned the legitimacy of Gukesh's win at World championship, questioned the chess format user in World championship and to...
While the chess world continues to debate Carlsen's sportsmanship, Gukesh continues to build his legacy, proving he's World Champion for a reason.