D. Gukesh's recent victory over Magnus Carlsen at the Norway Chess 2025 tournament has reverberated across India, drawing praise from various quarters, including Bollywood celebrities. The 19-year-old chess prodigy's win, his first-ever classical victory against the former world number one, sparked celebrations and expressions of admiration, most notably from actresses Kangana Ranaut and Samantha Ruth Prabhu.

The match, held during Round 6 of the Norway Chess tournament, saw Gukesh triumph over Carlsen in a stunning comeback. Carlsen, known for his dominance, had an upper hand for much of the game. However, Gukesh capitalized on a rare blunder by the Norwegian grandmaster in the endgame, turning the tables with a precise counterattack. This victory not only marked a personal milestone for Gukesh but also positioned him as only the second Indian player, after Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, to defeat Carlsen in this format of the game.

Following the win, Magnus Carlsen's reaction was one of visible frustration. He slammed the table, startling the room, and shook Gukesh's hand before exiting. In contrast, Gukesh remained composed, later describing his win as a "lucky day," despite the magnitude of his achievement. He humbly stated that he believed he would lose "99 out of 100 times" against Carlsen.

The contrasting reactions of the two chess giants quickly became a talking point. Celebrities like Kangana Ranaut and Samantha Ruth Prabhu took to social media to express their admiration for Gukesh's achievement. Kangana Ranaut shared a video clip of Carlsen's outburst and Gukesh's surprised reaction, congratulating the young chess champion with clapping hands, flower bouquet, and National Flag emojis. Samantha Ruth Prabhu, similarly impressed, posted the same video on her Instagram story, simply writing "@gukesh.official Beautiful" accompanied by flexed muscles emojis.

Gukesh's coach, Grzegorz Gajewski, emphasized the significance of the win, highlighting the confidence boost it would provide. He suggested that this victory could inspire other Indian players to challenge Carlsen and other top players, potentially breaking what he termed an "unbreakable margin."

Chess legend Susan Polgar lauded Gukesh's humility and grace in victory. She praised Gukesh for showing the "true meaning of 'Win with Grace!'" and acknowledged the fighting spirit he displayed throughout the game.

Carlsen later apologized for his behavior. D Gukesh's grandfather, Shankar Rajesh, also defended Magnus Carlsen's reaction and expressed his excitement.

With 8.5 points, Gukesh is currently in third place in the Norway Chess 2025 standings, trailing Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana by a single point. This victory not only solidifies Gukesh's position as a rising star in the chess world but also adds an exciting dynamic to the ongoing tournament.