Late Drama and Rising Stars Define Thrilling Norway Chess Finale

Stavanger

Magnus Carlsen secured his record-extending seventh Norway Chess title after Indian World Champion D. Gukesh suffered a heartbreaking loss to Fabiano Caruana in the final round. The high-stakes clash saw Gukesh, in a disadvantageous position, attempt a dramatic comeback against the 2018 champion but blundered under time pressure, costing him the title.

Carlsen, who led overnight with 15 points, drew his 10th-round Classical game against Arjun Erigaisi, narrowly escaping defeat. Though Erigaisi went on to win the Armageddon tie-break, Carlsen’s single point from the draw was enough to keep him at the top with 16 points.

Gukesh, who needed a draw to stay in contention provided Carlsen lost, ended third with 14.5 points — repeating his 2023 finish — while Caruana’s win lifted him to second with 15.5 points. Erigaisi, who played a strong tournament, finished fifth with 13 points.

Carlsen admitted that he was “fighting for his life” during his match and that part of his focus was on the Gukesh-Caruana outcome. “It’s been a roller-coaster. At least in some parts of the game, I feel I’m better than the kids trying to take over,” he remarked. In the women’s section, Ukraine’s Anna Muzychuk won the title with 16.5 points despite losing the Armageddon tie-break to India’s R. Vaishali. Koneru Humpy secured third place with 15 points after drawing her game against Ju Wenjun and winning the tie-break.