The chess world is buzzing after world number one Magnus Carlsen suffered a dramatic meltdown at the FIDE World Blitz Championship 2025 in Doha.
During a high-stakes ninth-round match on Monday, Carlsen faced off against India’s Arjun Erigaisi in a battle that ended in chaos.
The game reached a boiling point as both players grappled with severe time pressure. In a frantic scramble, Carlsen fumbled his queen sending the piece clattering to the floor.
As he desperately tried to retrieve it, his clock ran out. Realising he had lost on time, Carlsen slammed his fist onto the table in a display of raw frustration that has since gone viral.
While Carlsen stormed off, Erigaisi remained remarkably composed. This display of sportsmanship earned him high praise from fans and figures like industrialist Anand Mahindra, who noted:
“To calmly rearrange the board and show perfect etiquette after a high-tension win against the GOAT is class personified. Grace is always a winner.”
The loss was a rare stumble for Carlsen, who has just secured his sixth World Rapid title the previous day.
Commentators noted that while Carlsen’s passion is undeniable, his intensity can boil over. As his former coach Srinath Narayanan observed, “He is always looking to win. He’s willing to lose in that pursuit of victory.”
Despite the outburst, Carlsen remains a top contender as the tournament moves into its final stages.
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