The stage is set for a thrilling finale at Norway Chess 2025 as reigning world champion D Gukesh and world no. 1 Magnus Carlsen prepare to face off in the final round on Friday. Both players scored crucial classical wins on Thursday to keep the title hunt alive.
Carlsen defeated former tournament leader Fabiano Caruana to grab three points and move to the top of the leaderboard with 15 points, while Gukesh remained close behind at 14.5 points after beating Wei Yi.
Despite his win, Carlsen downplayed the significance of a potential tournament victory.
“Honestly, it could have meant a lot to me if I had finished off the game against Gukesh and then played a really good tournament. Now like regardless of what happens it would kind of be like a bit of stumbling into a win. Like there is a very good chance that I don’t win the tournament, but it honestly wouldn’t make that big of a difference to me. The dream of playing a really good tournament burst with that game (against Gukesh). Of course I want to win, but it’s not that important,” Carlsen said in a post-match interview with Chess24.
When asked whether a tournament win could redeem his loss to Gukesh, Carlsen responded:
“I know that I can play. I mean there is no there is no doubt about that. I just wanted a score that reflects the fact that I think I’m still significantly better at chess and since I couldn’t achieve that then potentially winning the tournament would not would not mean as much.”
Earlier, Carlsen had admitted that the loss to Gukesh was a turning point:
“My tournament was a little bit over after the Gukesh defeat. It was nice to win (against Caruana). But it was not very inspiring,” he said, adding that he felt “more tired mentally than physically.”
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Gukesh remained composed and focused on the task ahead.
“It’s great to go against Magnus. I’m happy with the game that I played today. Tomorrow, hopefully I will play a good game. The result, we’ll see later,” said Gukesh, reflecting on his form ahead of the decider.
How Gukesh beat Wei Yi
How Magnus Carlsen beat Caruana
Hikaru Nakamura, who trails close behind with 13 points, remains in contention as well. He drew his classical game with Arjun Erigaisi and won the Armageddon tiebreak.
Carlsen will now face Arjun in the final round, while Gukesh takes on Caruana in what promises to be a dramatic conclusion to the tournament.
Previewing his clash against Arjun, Carlsen said:
“Arjun will always want to fight. So I am prepared for a fight for sure.”
On his approach to the match, the Norwegian added:
“It’s hard to say. Playing Arjun is a little bit like playing (Vasyl) Ivanchuk back in the day. It’s just somebody who doesn’t really play for a lot of draws. He is just out to get you. So playing black, I’m sure we’ll get some sort of complicated game and I’ll try and do my best from there.”
Carlsen’s earlier loss to Gukesh, which saw him visibly frustrated and banging his fist on the table, marked a rare moment of emotional vulnerability. The viral clip captured him sighing, “Oh my God,” in frustration after making a decisive blunder.
Later, Carlsen had reflected on that moment with stark honesty:
“I don’t think that (the game against Gukesh, not the incident) was fun. I have to consider how to avoid it… maybe I should totally stop playing classical chess. It was not fun for me at all. In general I feel I have played well in the tournament but I don’t feel it is fun playing. I am not worried about my level.”
As the chess world watches with anticipation, all eyes are on Stavanger for what could be another historic chapter in the Gukesh vs Carlsen rivalry.