Magnus Carlsen Triumphs at Norway Chess 2025, Highlights Indian Chess Talent

Carlsen's Victory and Indian Chess Stars

Stavanger, Norway: Magnus Carlsen, the reigning world champion, celebrated his seventh title at the Norway Chess tournament on Saturday. He acknowledged the impressive skills of Indian chess players D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi, stating they are 'very good' but still require some time for further preparation.

In the final round, Carlsen's match against Arjun concluded in a draw. The championship was ultimately determined by Gukesh's game against American Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana, where Caruana's victory allowed Carlsen to secure first place.

Carlsen wrapped up the tournament with a total of 16 points, while Caruana followed closely with 15.5 points. Gukesh finished third with 14.5 points, and Arjun Erigaisi, who performed admirably throughout the event, ended in fifth place with 13 points.

Carlsen's Reflections on the Tournament

#WATCH | Stavanger, Norway | Magnus Carlsen, the winner of Norway Chess 2025, expressed, 'I feel great. Winning this tournament is a relief. It was quite a rollercoaster, but I’m pleased with the outcome.'

In his post-tournament interview, Carlsen remarked on the talent of Gukesh and Arjun, emphasizing that they still need time to develop further. He recalled his match against Gukesh, which he lost, as a memorable game that would stay with him. His visible frustration during that match, which included banging the table and knocking over pieces, gained attention on social media.

'Both Gukesh and Arjun are very talented, but they still need a bit more time to prepare. There's also a concurrent tournament in Armenia where Pragg (R Praggnanandhaa) and Aravindh Chithambaram are showcasing excellent chess... Although it wasn't a positive memory, the game against Gukesh will certainly stick with me,' Carlsen noted.