Carlsen Defeats Gukesh in Norway Chess Opener

The 2025 Norway Chess tournament began in Stavanger with world champion D Gukesh facing world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in their first classical encounter since Gukesh's title win, with Carlsen emerging victorious after nearly five hours and 56 moves. Carlsen's win demonstrated his enduring classical strength despite his recent focus on rapid formats. India's Arjun Erigaisi marked a strong debut by defeating China's Wei Yi in the Armageddon tiebreaker, making history as India fields two players in the elite men's section for the first time. The tournament features top contenders such as Nakamura, Caruana, and Wei Yi, and is regarded as a mini world championship. The event also showcases strong Indian participation in the women's section, highlighting the nation's chess renaissance. Gukesh, facing increased scrutiny, remains focused on improvement while Carlsen is celebrated for his resilience.