At the Norway Chess 2025 tournament, Indian Grandmaster and reigning World Champion D Gukesh secured his first-ever classical victory over former World Champion Magnus Carlsen. The match, held in Stavanger, saw Gukesh overturn a challenging position to defeat Carlsen, prompting a visibly frustrated reaction from the Norwegian grandmaster.
Carlsen, who had maintained control for the majority of the game, faltered in the endgame, allowing the 19-year-old Gukesh to capitalise and claim the win. Following the unexpected loss, Carlsen slammed his fist on the table, sending chess pieces flying, before offering a quick handshake and leaving the room in frustration. The incident was captured on video and quickly went viral, amassing over 8.5 million views on social media platforms.
While Carlsen's outburst drew criticism from some quarters, with fans labeling his behavior as unsportsmanlike, others empathised with the emotional intensity of high-stakes chess. Gukesh himself commented on the incident, stating, "I've also banged a lot of tables in my career," acknowledging the pressures inherent in competitive play.
This is exactly what Ive been trying to explain to my fellow Indians who think I am overreacting. Ive seen the amount of racism Gukesh faces from people outside India. Here is one from the official Norway Chess TikTok account which has been liked by thousands of people. https://t.co/nvkxuZuL9n pic.twitter.com/4zwkTE2lQg
Meru (@MeruBhaiya) June 2, 2025
The racism faced by Gukesh is emblematic of the broader racism against all Indians, stemming from a sustained, multi-year coordinated effort by China and Pakistan to dehumanize Indians through pervasive and virulent racist discourse online.Regrettably, this deplorable behavior pic.twitter.com/P4Or2HQYXtAravind (@aravind) June 2, 2025
A loss has triggered the whole racist cvnts of the West.The fun point is he can't even spell 'Scent' .pic.twitter.com/HAKVKvEVVd
Team Jhaat Official (@TeamJhaant__) June 2, 2025
However, the focus on Carlsen's reaction overshadowed Gukesh's remarkable achievement. The young Indian's victory was met with a wave of racist and xenophobic comments on social media, with some users targeting his nationality. Remarks such as "Magnus was distracted by curry scent" exemplify the derogatory sentiments expressed online . These comments sparked outrage among Indian and NRI communities, who condemned the racism and called for greater respect and recognition of Gukesh's accomplishment.
Despite the controversy, Gukesh's win marks a significant milestone in his career, reinforcing his status as a formidable force in the world of chess. As the tournament progresses, the young champion's performance continues to captivate audiences and inspire aspiring players worldwide.
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