At Norway Chess 2025, the biggest moment wasn’t just Magnus Carlsen’s seventh title — it was D. Gukesh’s first classical win over the five-time world champion, a landmark that had both players — and the chess world — smiling.
When asked about their favourite moments, Gukesh instantly said, “Beating Magnus,” drawing laughter and a wry, amused grin from Carlsen, who was seated in the audience. In a rare show of mutual admiration, Carlsen agreed: “I think it's the same.” It was a candid and respectful nod to Gukesh’s growing stature.
Gukesh’s Victory: A New Milestone
Gukesh's first-ever classical win over Carlsen was the talk of the tournament. It was more than a personal milestone — it was a signal of the generational shift that has been gradually unfolding in world chess. The composed and fearless nature of Gukesh's play in that match won him immense praise and made him a legitimate contender for the title.
Carlsen’s Final-Round Escape
Despite the defeat, Carlsen’s consistency and endgame brilliance carried him to yet another tournament triumph on home turf in Stavanger. In the final round against Arjun Erigaisi, Carlsen was under heavy pressure — Erigaisi had a clearly better position after 34 moves. But Carlsen showed why he's still at the top: in just six moves, he flipped the script with two knights and a rook in an aggressive dance around Erigaisi’s king. Though he couldn’t force a win and settled for a draw by threefold repetition, it was enough to seal the title.
The Gukesh–Caruana Thriller
Gukesh had one final chance to take the title — a draw against Fabiano Caruana would have triggered Armageddon tiebreakers with Carlsen. The game was gripping. On move 47, Caruana blundered with a pawn push. But just one move later, Gukesh made a fatal mistake — promoting a pawn instead of capturing a bishop. That misstep allowed Caruana to deliver a knight fork, gaining a decisive edge and handing Gukesh a heartbreaking loss.
Final Standings Highlights:
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🥇 Magnus Carlsen — 7th Norway Chess title
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🥈 Fabiano Caruana — Took 2nd after beating Gukesh
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🥉 D. Gukesh — Missed tiebreaks by one move but stole the show with his win over Carlsen
Takeaway:
This edition of Norway Chess wasn’t just about Carlsen extending his dominance — it marked a symbolic shift, with Gukesh proving that he can beat the best in classical format. While Carlsen remains the reigning champion, Gukesh’s rise — and that unforgettable win — may be remembered as the beginning of a new era in elite chess.
