Magnus Carlsen Slams the Table.. Again

Drama erupted on day one of the 2025 FIDE World Blitz Championship when Magnus Carlsen, undefeated entering round 9, suffered a shocking loss on time against India #1 Arjun Erigaisi.

Defending a tough position with white, Carlsen reached for the engine-approved drawing move 46. Qxa5. In his haste, he knocked the queen off the board. Panicking, he fumbled to retrieve it from the floor, then tried to hit the clock—but his flag had already fallen. Frustrated, Carlsen slammed the table, a repeat of his infamous Norway Chess outburst.

The incident, captured in this viral clip from the attached X post, echoes his earlier controversy this week: storming out of the rapid section after shoving away a camera.

The loss shattered Carlsen’s momentum. He later blundered a rook in one move against Fabiano Caruana in round 12, dropping another point.

After 13 rounds, Carlsen sits on 9/13—a full point behind leaders Arjun Erigaisi, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, and Fabiano Caruana (all 10/13). With six rounds left on day two, the World Rapid Champion has time to fight back. A top-four finish would secure a playoff spot for another title—but staying composed remains the biggest challenge.

Photo: Lennart Ootes