How Did Gukesh Become a Chess Champion

The Bang Heard Round the Chess World: Gukesh Stuns Magnus Carlsen in Historic Norway Chess Upset

In a moment that shattered the tranquil intensity of elite chess, 19-year-old World Champion Dommaraju Gukesh achieved what no Indian had done in classical chess for over a year—defeat the seemingly invincible Magnus Carlsen on his home turf. The seismic event occurred during Round 6 of Norway Chess 2025, but it was Carlsen's volcanic reaction—a table-shaking slam that sent pieces flying—that echoed through the chess world, symbolizing a potential shift in the game's tectonic plates.

The Impossible Comeback: From "Dead Lost" to Victory

The stage was set for a Carlsen coronation. The Norwegian legend, rated world No. 1 for 15 consecutive years, had dominated the game positionally and psychologically, reducing Gukesh to survival mode for over four grueling hours. As Gukesh's own coach Grandmaster Vishnu Prasanna later admitted, the teenager was "dead lost for so long". Yet in a breathtaking display of tenacity, Gukesh transformed desperation into opportunity:

• Time Trouble Gambit: With both players hemorrhaging seconds on the 10-second increment, Gukesh intentionally created "tricky moves" to exacerbate Carlsen's time scramble.

• The Fatal Blunder: On move 52, Carlsen committed a catastrophic knight check (52...Ne2+??), misjudging the endgame complexity under time pressure.

• Knight vs. Pawn Redemption: In a poetic reversal, Gukesh capitalized with clinical precision, converting a knight-pawn endgame that commentators dubbed "one of the all-time great escapes".

Table: The Match Turnaround

Phase	Carlsen's Advantage	Gukesh's Strategy	Outcome
Middlegame	Positional dominance	Stubborn defense	Carlsen presses
Move 40-50	Technical win	Create "tricky" moves	Time scramble begins
Move 52	Apparent control	Capitalize on Ne2+?? blunder	Position flips
Endgame	Collapsed	Precise conversion	Gukesh wins in 62 moves

Humility vs. Fury: The Post-Match Reactions

As Gukesh sealed victory on move 62, the contrast in emotions could not have been starker. Carlsen—normally the epitome of Scandinavian cool—exploded in fury, hammering the table so violently that pieces somersaulted onto the floor before storming out sans media commentary. Meanwhile, the newly crowned world champion stood motionless, hand on chin, seemingly unable to process what he'd achieved .

Gukesh's post-match humility became instant legend:

"99 out of 100 times I would lose. Just a lucky day." 

His graciousness extended to Carlsen's outburst:

"I have also banged a lot of tables in my career." 

The chess world rushed to applaud Gukesh's grace. Legendary GM Susan Polgar hailed his "heart of a warrior," noting: "He fought as hard as he could to survive, and was rewarded with a big victory!".

More Than a Win: Silencing the Doubters

This victory transcended tournament points. Since becoming the youngest World Champion in history at age 18, Gukesh had endured whispers that his title lacked legitimacy due to Carlsen's 2023 abdication. As his coach Grzegorz Gajewski revealed:

"He keeps facing comments that, 'ok, you're the world champion only because Magnus didn't play.'... Now he's beaten him. So I hope this will give him some credit."

Carlsen himself had previously acknowledged Gukesh's worthiness, citing his Candidates triumph and Olympiad brilliance. Yet nothing validated Gukesh's crown like defeating the alpha on the board.

The Ripple Effects: Confidence and Calculations

The ramifications extended beyond symbolism:

• Standings Reshuffled: Gukesh leapfrogged to 3rd place with 8.5 points, just one point behind co-leaders Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana.

• Technical Breakthrough: Coach Gajewski highlighted improved time management—a weakness in their first-round loss—as pivotal: "We decided we have to correct this... and already we witnessed improvement." 

• Psychological Shift: As Gajewski emphasized, "Once you've done it, you know you can do it again." 

Table: Norway Chess 2025 Standings (After Round 6)

Rank	Player	Points
1	Magnus Carlsen	9.5
2	Fabiano Caruana	9.5
3	D. Gukesh	8.5

Historical Echoes: India's Norwegian Conquest

Gukesh's win continued India's remarkable trajectory at Norway Chess. In 2024, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa became the first Indian to topple Carlsen classically here. Now Gukesh has joined him—but with the added weight of being reigning world champion. The parallel wasn't lost on fans, one noting: "Last year Pragg... now Gukesh. The Indians are coming!" .

The Unfolding Legacy

Carlsen's table-slam reverberated beyond Stavanger—a visceral acknowledgment that the chess universe is evolving. For Gukesh, this wasn't merely about overturning a lost position; it was about overturning narratives. As he quietly stated: "Beating Magnus in any form is special." 

In a sport where mental fortitude defines greatness, Gukesh demonstrated why he wears the crown—not through brash declarations, but through resilience that turns "99 losses" into one immortal victory. The pieces Carlsen sent flying may have settled, but the chess world remains deliciously unbalanced.