D. Gukesh Faces Magnus Carlsen in Norway Chess 2025 Opener

Exciting Start for Gukesh at Norway Chess 2025

Indian teenage Grandmaster and current world champion D. Gukesh is gearing up for his Norway Chess 2025 debut in Stavanger, where he will face off against Magnus Carlsen, the reigning World No.1 and six-time tournament champion.

The 18-year-old recognizes the difficulty of starting with the black pieces against Carlsen but remains confident ahead of their eagerly awaited classical match, which marks their first encounter since Gukesh's remarkable world title victory.

A Unique Opening Match

Gukesh expressed, "It's definitely a special game to kick off the tournament. However, since all players compete with both colors, it doesn't really matter in the end."

He added, "As it's the tournament's opening round, both of us will aim to be sharp and dive into the competition quickly. The first round can be tricky for finding your best form, so it will be an exciting challenge."

Carlsen's Uncertainty Ahead of the Match

Carlsen, who has participated in very few classical chess matches recently, shared his uncertainty regarding the upcoming clash.

"To be honest, I haven't engaged in a proper classical tournament since last year. Most of my recent classical games have been against lower-rated opponents, so I’m not entirely sure what to expect from Gukesh or anyone else," Carlsen remarked.

"I definitely want to perform well in these games, and I believe Gukesh shares that sentiment," he added.

Gukesh Aiming for a Comeback

Following his championship win over Ding Liren from China, Gukesh's performance has been inconsistent. He acknowledged that he hasn't had a series of successful tournaments lately but is hopeful about regaining his form.

"After the world championship, my performance at Wijik Aan Zee was strong, but subsequent tournaments haven't gone well," Gukesh noted.

"I am back to training and playing regularly, and I believe that if I maintain consistency and focus on the right practices, my results will improve. This tournament is a chance to regain my form," he stated.

The young Grandmaster also mentioned that he has intensified his preparation after a slow start post-world title.

"Compared to the initial months after my championship, I am now training more seriously. Bad tournaments can happen regardless of effort, but I am concentrating on this tournament and giving it my all," he concluded.