Overview

• Carlsen lost a winning position against world champion D. Gukesh at Norway Chess, prompting his rare fist slam on the table.
• The gesture went viral, spawning one of modern chess’s most popular memes along with widespread parodies.
• Anand likened the reaction to falling two metres before the finish line, underscoring the psychological strains of elite competition.
• He observed that the outburst broke long-held stereotypes of poker-faced grandmasters by showcasing raw emotion.
• Anand suggested that without significant camera coverage the display served primarily to boost Carlsen’s social media presence.