In a gripping revelation, American Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana has shed light on what prompted five-time World Champion Magnus Carlsen to visibly lose his cool after a dramatic loss to Indian teen sensation D Gukesh at the 2024 FIDE Candidates Tournament.

The game, which turned out to be one of the most talked-about encounters of the tournament, ended with Gukesh defeating Carlsen in a rare and aggressive display of precision. The loss not only stunned spectators but also provoked an uncharacteristic reaction from Carlsen, who was seen leaving the board visibly agitated.

Speaking on his podcast, Caruana, a former World Championship challenger himself, offered perspective on the situation. “That’s what he was trying to go for — a messy, imbalanced position,” Caruana said, referring to Carlsen’s ambitious yet risky strategy against Gukesh. “Magnus wanted complications, but Gukesh handled it extremely well. That’s where the frustration came from.”

Carlsen reportedly tried to steer the game into dynamic territory, hoping to outplay Gukesh in a complex middlegame. However, the young Indian star was well-prepared, and capitalized on Carlsen’s inaccuracies with calm precision. The defeat meant more than just a point lost — it was a blow to Carlsen’s confidence and his bid to reclaim dominance.

The Norwegian GM’s emotional reaction was captured by cameras and sparked widespread discussion among fans. “It wasn’t just about losing,” Caruana explained. “Magnus saw his strategy unravel and realized, in that moment, that he had underestimated Gukesh’s ability to handle pressure.”

This was not just another win for Gukesh. It marked a defining moment in his career, as the 17-year-old continues to make headlines by challenging the titans of chess on the global stage. His calm demeanor and mature handling of high-pressure games have earned praise from top players, including Caruana himself.

As the tournament progresses, Carlsen’s reaction has reignited debates about the emotional toll of elite chess. With rising talents like Gukesh rewriting the narrative, legends like Carlsen are finding themselves in new territory — one where the balance of power is rapidly shifting.