You come at the king, you best not miss: Carlsen after beating Gukesh

The Indian was playing world no. 1 after his ascent to the throne

- AMIT KAMATH

THAT WAS THE message Magnus Carlsen, who abdicated the world champion's throne two years back, posted on his X account after he forced the reigning world champion Gukesh to resign in 55 moves on Monday in the first round of the Norway Chess tournament.

Carlsen's quote — invoking the memorable fictional character Omar Little (played by the actor Michael Kenneth Williams) on the HBO show The Wire — was an unsubtle message for the teenager from India who currently wears the world champion's crown.

The game had seen Gukesh's queen and his rook try and ambush Carlsen's king for a few moves before a single-move blunder from Gukesh had turned the tables. When it was Carlsen's turn to have a go at Gukesh's king, he did not miss.

It was one of the most keenly anticipated clashes of the year — the first time world champion Gukesh was playing world no. 1 Carlsen in classical chess after his ascent to the throne. And it ended as a win for the Norwegian, who rarely plays classical chess these days.

Carlsen has spoken about how classical chess and the rigours it demands from players are a turnoff for him now. So it was not surprising that he spent a part of Monday morning playing a round of golf with his long-time trainer Peter Heine Nielsen.