Chess World Reacts: Gukesh on Carlsen’s Viral Table Slam

The 2024 FIDE Candidates Tournament saw a dramatic moment go viral, not for an exceptional chess move, but for Magnus Carlsen’s response to a loss. Following an upset defeat to D Gukesh, Carlsen’s display of frustration, captured on camera as he slammed the table, quickly went viral. The game, part of round six, resulted in then-17-year-old Gukesh achieving a significant win over the five-time world champion. The chess community was taken by surprise, but it was Carlsen’s emotional reaction that captivated the internet. The clip became the basis for numerous memes and humorous video edits. D Gukesh shared his reaction to the viral event, commenting that he “was laughing for like 10 minutes.” He highlighted a particular meme, featuring a cat’s reaction to the table slam, as his favorite. Gukesh has since achieved remarkable success, becoming the World Chess Champion at the age of 17, making him the youngest to hold the title. His FIDE rating of 2750 at 17 makes him the youngest to achieve this rating and the third-youngest to surpass 2700 Elo.