Norway Chess 2025 exploded into action in Stavanger, with World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen defeating World Champion Gukesh D in a gripping Round 1 clash. Indian star Arjun Erigaisi also shone, clinching a win against China’s Wei Yi in an intense Armageddon tiebreaker. The tournament, featuring the world’s top players, promises fierce competition. Catch every move live on norwaychess.no or SonyLIV in India, and secure tickets to witness this chess spectacle in person!
Carlsen’s Endgame Mastery Overpowers Gukesh in Norway Chess 2025 Opener
Magnus Carlsen, playing with white pieces, outmaneuvered Gukesh D in a dramatic four-hour classical game, earning three points. The match, their first classical encounter since Gukesh’s 2024 world title win, saw the Indian prodigy hold firm until a critical endgame blunder. “Gukesh did really well for a long time,” Carlsen noted, but admitted his Jobava London opening “didn’t work out as planned.” Gukesh, despite the loss, showed resilience, neutralizing Carlsen’s early advantage by move 11. The game turned on a pawn race, where Carlsen’s precision prevailed after Gukesh’s errant check.
Also Read: D Gukesh Steals Spotlight in UPSC Prelims 2025
Erigaisi’s Armageddon Victory and Indian Highlights at Norway Chess 2025
Arjun Erigaisi, ranked World No. 4, marked his Norway Chess debut with a stunning Armageddon win over Wei Yi, securing 1.5 points. Playing black with only seven minutes to Wei’s ten, Erigaisi played aggressively, forcing a draw in the classical game after 54 moves and then winning on time. In the women’s event, Koneru Humpy capitalized on Vaishali Rameshbabu’s endgame mistake to claim the only classical win, earning three points. Hikaru Nakamura also triumphed, defeating Fabiano Caruana with black pieces for three points.
Also Read: Arjun Erigaisi Makes History as India’s First Esports World Cup Qualifier
