Magnus Carlsen Dominates Chess in 2025: A Year of Triumphs and Challenges

The year 2025 was a landmark for chess, with Magnus Carlsen solidifying his dominance by winning multiple titles, including the FIDE World Rapid Championship. Meanwhile, Indian chess saw a significant rise, highlighted by Divya Deshmukh's historic victory at the Women's Chess World Cup. Despite some disappointments, including Gukesh's mixed results, the future looks bright for Indian chess as it positions itself as a global powerhouse. Discover the key moments and achievements that defined the chess world in 2025.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 30, 2025, 05:48 IST

Chess: A Year of Unmatched Achievements

Throughout the year, chess captured the spotlight, with Magnus Carlsen, the renowned Norwegian grandmaster, leading the charge. In December, he solidified his status by clinching his sixth FIDE World Rapid Championship title in Doha. Earlier in June, he secured his seventh title at Norway Chess, followed by a victory at the inaugural Chess Esports World Cup in August. Carlsen also triumphed in the Champions Chess Tour, winning both the Chessable Masters in February and the Paris Freestyle Grand Slam in April. By the end of the year, he held the top ranking in all three formats: classical, rapid, and blitz.

While classical world champion D Gukesh, Grand Chess Tour Final winner Fabiano Caruana, and the youngest FIDE World Cup champion, Javokhir Sindarov, made notable contributions, Carlsen remained the standout figure.

From an Indian perspective, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh emerged as a star, winning the Women’s Chess World Cup in Batumi. This year marked a significant milestone for Indian chess, showcasing the nation's potential as a future powerhouse in the sport.

India now boasts 91 Grandmasters, with LR Srihari, Harikrishnan A Ra, Divya Deshmukh, S Rohith Krishna, Ilamparthi AR, and Raahul VS earning their titles in 2025.

Deshmukh, the daughter of a doctor couple from Nagpur, made history by becoming the first Indian to win the FIDE Women’s World Cup, earning a Grandmaster title and automatic qualification for the 2026 Candidates tournament. If her trajectory continues, she may soon challenge China’s Ju Wenjun for the women’s world championship.

Gukesh, who claimed the world champion title in 2024, had a mixed year in 2025. He finished as the runner-up in the Tata Steel Chess Masters in Wijk Aan Zee, Netherlands, where R Praggnanandhaa defeated him in a blitz tiebreaker. Gukesh faced disappointment with an early exit in the FIDE World Cup held in Goa.

His highlight came in May-June when he defeated world No. 1 Carlsen at Norway Chess in Stavanger. The moment was memorable, as a visibly upset Carlsen left the hall after the loss, only to return and shake hands with Gukesh, creating an iconic image. Despite this setback, Carlsen went on to win his seventh Norway Chess title effortlessly. He also experienced frustration after losing to Arjun Erigaisi in the World Blitz Championship in December.

The much-anticipated World Cup in Goa did not meet expectations, as the nation hoped for at least one berth in the Candidates tournament. Unfortunately, Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Nihal Sarin, P Harikrishna, and Vidit Gujrathi were unable to deliver.

However, Praggnanandhaa secured his place in the Candidates by winning the FIDE Circuit 2025, becoming the first Indian male player to qualify for the World Championship qualifier by finishing at the top of the circuit standings.