Gukesh’s Final-Round Blunder Hands Carlsen His Seventh Norway Chess Title

Ravi Singh

Norway Chess Title: In a dramatic end to the 2025 Norway Chess tournament, India’s D Gukesh suffered a heartbreaking loss against American Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana, paving the way for Magnus Carlsen to clinch his seventh Norway Chess crown. The tension-filled final round saw Gukesh falter under time pressure, offering a handshake with just two seconds remaining on the clock, followed by a moment of visible anguish as he covered his face—fully aware of the costly mistake that had just slipped from his grasp.

Carlsen, the five-time world champion and defending Norway Chess titleholder, concluded the event with 16 points. His final game, a draw against fellow Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi, saw Carlsen hold ground from a slightly worse position—just enough to secure the overall victory.

Caruana, with a strong and steady performance against Gukesh, claimed three full points in the final round and ended the tournament in second place with 15.5 points. Gukesh, who had been among the top contenders throughout, settled for third place with 14.5 points—his second podium finish in as many Norway Chess appearances. Erigaisi finished fifth with a total of 12.5 points.

The women’s section brought its own share of thrill, with Ukraine’s Anna Muzychuk emerging as champion. The two-time world blitz champion finished with 16.5 points, even after losing the Armageddon tiebreaker to India’s R. Vaishali in the final round. The two had drawn their classical game, earning one point each, before Vaishali secured an additional half point in the sudden-death format.

Vaishali’s performance left her with 11 points, a commendable result, though it came tantalizingly close to influencing the title race further. Had she beaten Muzychuk in the classical segment, it would have opened the door for Indian veteran Koneru Humpy. Humpy, who was on 13.5 points after round nine, needed a classical win over reigning world champion Ju Wenjun. However, she managed only a draw, earning one point, and later took the Armageddon win for an extra half point—finishing the tournament with 15 points, just behind Muzychuk.

The 2025 edition of Norway Chess once again showcased world-class drama, emotional turns, and clutch performances under pressure. Carlsen’s consistency, Caruana’s resilience, and the heartbreak for Gukesh added to the tournament’s rich legacy, while in the women’s event, Muzychuk’s steady form proved just enough to fend off the late surges from India’s top talents.