Magnus Carlsen secured his seventh Norway Chess title in Stavanger, solidifying his dominance in the prestigious tournament. The final day, however, was marked by high drama, particularly for India’s D Gukesh, who was in contention for the championship until the last round. He faced defeat at the hands of US Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana.
In the decisive match, Gukesh fought valiantly from a challenging position, attempting to salvage a draw. However, with precious seconds ticking away on his clock, he made a critical blunder that sealed his fate. With a mere two seconds remaining, Gukesh conceded the game, visibly dejected and covering his face with his hands.
Carlsen, meanwhile, found himself struggling against another rising Indian star, Arjun Erigaisi. Despite the difficult situation, Carlsen managed to secure a draw, which proved sufficient to propel him to the top of the standings with 16 points. Carlsen’s consistent performance throughout the tournament, combined with Gukesh’s loss, ensured the Norwegian’s victory.
Fabiano Caruana’s win over Gukesh not only dashed the young player’s title hopes but also elevated the American to second place with 15.5 points. Gukesh, who had been a strong contender until the final round, settled for third place with 14.5 points. Arjun Erigaisi finished fifth with 12.5 points in a tightly contested competition.