Magnus Carlsen commented on his anger outbursts during the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships 2025 in an interview with NRK. Magnus acknowledged his ongoing struggle with handling defeat and reflected on the pressures of competing at the highest level.

Magnus Carlsen

Magnus Carlsen

Five-time world champion

“I recognize I don’t always handle it properly. There was a moment a couple of years ago when I thought I was getting better at dealing with losses, but in reality it hasn’t gotten much better.

It’s not just about how it looks — good or bad. Many have their opinion, but no other chess player knows what it is like to be me and the pressure I and others put on me. That makes the situation a little different.”

In round 7 of the World Rapid Championship, Magnus Carlsen pushed away a camera operator after losing to Vladislav Artemiev. In round 9 of the World Blitz Championship, he hit the table after losing to Arjun Erigaisi. Magnus won both tournaments, securing his 20th total World Championship Title across Classical (5 times), Rapid (6 times), and Blitz (9 times).

Credit: FIDE/Lennart Ootes