World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen has candidly reflected on his emotional reaction following a rare and painful defeat to reigning world champion D Gukesh at the recently concluded Norway Chess 2025 tournament. The 34-year-old Norwegian, known for his composure and dominance, admitted that the loss left him feeling “washed and useless,” sparking a wave of introspection.
🧠 “The World Just Falls Apart”: Carlsen on His Mental State
In an interview on the Pardon My Take podcast, Carlsen described the sixth-round loss as “so dumb and so unnecessary,” revealing that it triggered a brief existential crisis.
“It just made me feel so kind of washed and useless that my thought for a few days was just, ‘I’m not sure why I’m doing this,’” Carlsen confessed.
Despite the setback, Carlsen went on to win the tournament—his seventh Norway Chess title—but the emotional toll of the loss to the 19-year-old Indian prodigy was unmistakable.
🥊 The Viral Fist Smash
Carlsen’s frustration boiled over in a now-viral moment when he slammed his fist on the table after blundering from a dominant position. The outburst stunned spectators and drew comparisons to emotional displays in sports like tennis.
“I honestly think there should be room for that in chess as well. It’s such an uptight sport,” Carlsen said, defending his reaction.
🧭 Not the “Bad Boy” of Chess
While some have labeled him a maverick, Carlsen clarified that he doesn’t aspire to be chess’s “bad boy.” He emphasized the importance of emotional authenticity, as long as it’s followed by respect for the opponent.
“I’m generally not going to apologize for outbursts in the moment, as long as you realize afterwards and show your opponent the proper respect,” he added.
🏆 Gukesh’s Rise and Carlsen’s Legacy
The defeat marked Carlsen’s first classical loss to Gukesh, who became the youngest world champion in 2024. The match has intensified the growing rivalry between the two, with fans eagerly awaiting future face-offs.
Stay tuned for more updates from the world of elite chess.
