Carlsen outpunches valiant Gukesh in Norway Chess tie resembling a boxing match

World Chess Champion D Gukesh came agonisingly close to stunning World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen for the first time in classical chess but made one wrong move and lost. The much-awaited classical battle occurred in round 1 of Norway Chess in Stavanger on Monday evening.

Gukesh was ambitious with black pieces against Carlsen, which many might argue surprised the Norwegian. India's youngest World Champion didn't just play smartly in the opening; he made a bold decision in the end game by walking his h-pawn to be promoted to a queen.

It was a tightrope walk because, in doing so, he gave up a knight and allowed Carlsen to promote a pawn himself. By move 46, both players had gained a queen each, but then the onus was upon Gukesh to play all the right moves, doing which he was guaranteed at least a draw and, with some luck, a win.

It was a pivotal moment, not just in the game per se but in Gukesh's career, as he had faced Carlsen, the World No. 1 since 2011, on at least five occasions in classical chess and never won. The pressure of time also played a significant part; both players had started with 120 minutes each but had burned time and energy to be left with less than 2 minutes between them combined when the queens were on the board.

It was like a boxing match, in which two players, level on points, go all out in the final round, trying to deliver the knockout blow. Gukesh was the initial aggressor because he promoted his queen before Carlsen. He threw punches (checks) repeatedly, and Carlsen was forced into a corner with his guard up.

The Indian teenager had to keep checking Carlsen's King until he found a checkmate. He gave check after check, four with his queen and one with the rook, but then the checks (punches) dried up.

That was the opening for Carlsen to begin his aggression as he came charging with counter-punches (checks). From that point, Carlsen moved with machine-like precision, placing his pieces on the proper squares every single time, forcing Gukesh into a corner. The game turned on its head, and Carlsen landed powerful punches (checks), which Gukesh couldn't take anymore and resigned after 55 moves with the end imminent.

Gukesh fought brilliantly, but Carlsen simply proved why he was the best in business by turning a slight endgame advantage into a win. Meanwhile, India's Arjun Erigaisi defeated China's Wei Yi in armageddon after their classical tie ended in a draw.