World chess champion Magnus Carlsen found himself at the centre of another controversy after an angry outburst at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championship 2025 in Doha. The Norwegian grandmaster, known for his competitive intensity, physically shoved away a camera following a surprising defeat.
The Incident: A Moment of Fury After a Loss
The incident unfolded immediately after the seventh round of the Rapid section on December 27. Carlsen, the 18-time World Champion across all formats, was outplayed by Russian grandmaster Vladislav Artemiev. This marked Carlsen's first loss in the tournament. Visibly upset, he shook hands to concede the game, grabbed his blazer, and began to storm off the playing hall.
As he made his exit, an official FIDE photographer approached to get a close-up shot of the defeated champion. Just as the camera neared him, Carlsen reacted with clear anger, forcefully pushing the device aside before exiting the arena. The moment was captured and quickly circulated on social media, notably by the popular chess channel ChessBase India.
A History of Controversy at the Rapid & Blitz
This is not the first time the World Rapid and Blitz Championship has been mired in controversy, and Carlsen has often been involved. The event is still remembered for last year's "jeansgate" saga and a shared Blitz title. Earlier this year, Carlsen made headlines for banging the table after a loss to India's D. Gukesh in Norway.
Ironically, before the Doha event began, Carlsen was asked if he expected more controversy this year. He had replied, "I’m sure that there will be incidents because there always are at the World Rapid and Blitz. I hope I’m not going to be part of it this time. That’s what I can say." His hope was short-lived, as he became the protagonist of the latest incident just days later.
Reactions and What It Means for Carlsen
While there has been no official statement from Carlsen or FIDE regarding the camera-shoving incident, it has sparked debate within the global chess community. Some fans and analysts understand the immense pressure and frustration top athletes face after a painful loss, especially in a high-stakes tournament. Others, however, believe such behaviour towards officials or media is unprofessional.
The incident casts a shadow on what has otherwise been a spectacular career for the Norwegian maestro. It raises questions about the psychological toll of maintaining a dominant position in the sport and the expectations placed on its biggest star. The focus will now shift to see how Carlsen bounces back in the remaining rounds of the Blitz championship and whether this moment affects his gameplay.
