Anand Mahindra hails Gukesh's composure after Carlsen's table slam: 'His silence roared louder'

In a powerful nod to India's teenage chess sensation, industrialist Anand Mahindra praised D Gukesh for his calm triumph over Magnus Carlsen, saying the Indian Grandmaster's silent composure was louder than the Norwegian legend’s visible frustration.

Sharing a clip of Carlsen slamming his fist on the table after losing to Gukesh in a classical match at the Norway Chess 2025 tournament, Mahindra posted on X, “Carlsen’s visible frustration at the end wasn’t just a tantrum — it was the greatest compliment the World Champion could receive from the GOAT. No fist pump. No smirk. Gukesh didn’t need one. His silence roared louder than Carlsen’s exit.”


The 17-year-old Gukesh, who recently became the youngest-ever World Chess Champion, defeated Carlsen for the first time in a classical format. Carlsen had dominated most of the match, but a blunder in time pressure cost him the game — prompting an uncharacteristic outburst.

“I mean, (the win was) not the way I wanted it to be, but okay, I'll take it,” Gukesh told Chess.com, later adding with a smile, “... I've also banged a lot of tables in my career.”

Despite the loss, Carlsen remains on top of the tournament standings. Gukesh, however, continues to capture the imagination of fans — and admiration from business leaders like Mahindra — with his poise, humility, and quiet dominance on the board.