Norway Chess 2025, the 13th edition of the world-renowned super tournament, is currently underway in Stavanger, Norway, from May 26 to June 6, 2025. Hosted at the modern and eco-friendly Finansparken, the event brings together the world’s top chess grandmasters in a gripping battle of skill, strategy, and resilience. With equal prize funds and identical formats for both the Open and Women’s tournaments, Norway Chess 2025 reinforces its commitment to equality and innovation.
Tournament Format: Double Round-Robin with Armageddon Drama
This year’s Norway Chess features six players in each category, competing in a double round-robin format. Each player faces the others twice—once with white and once with black pieces. To avoid draws in standings, Armageddon tiebreakers are used: if a classical game ends in a draw, players immediately play a faster-paced game to determine the match winner.
Star-Studded Line-Up at Norway Chess 2025
Open Section Participants:
- Magnus Carlsen (Norway) – World No. 1
- Fabiano Caruana (USA) – World No. 2
- Hikaru Nakamura (USA) – World No. 3
- Arjun Erigaisi (India) – World No. 4
- Gukesh D (India) – World No. 5, Current World Champion
- Wei Yi (China) – World No. 8
Women’s Section Participants:
- Ju Wenjun (China) – World No. 2
- Lei Tingjie (China) – World No. 4
- Humpy Koneru (India) – World No. 6
- Anna Muzychuk (Ukraine) – World No. 8
- Vaishali Rameshbabu (India) – World No. 18
- Sarasadat Khademalsharieh (Spain) – World No. 21
Norway Chess 2025 Highlights: Major Upsets and Comebacks
Magnus Carlsen’s Dominance
The Norwegian icon started strong by defeating World Champion Gukesh D in a five-hour classical battle. He later edged out Fabiano Caruana in Armageddon to maintain his lead with 9.5 points after several rounds.
Nakamura vs Carlsen
In a nail-biting second round, Hikaru Nakamura stunned Carlsen by turning a difficult classical game into a win via Armageddon, showing his signature grit and creativity.
Gukesh’s Rollercoaster Journey
After an initial loss, Gukesh fought back impressively:
- Beat Nakamura in Round 3
- Defeated Caruana on his 19th birthday
- Lost a tense Armageddon to Wei Yi, who secured his third consecutive win
- Mounted a strong comeback, proving his championship resilience
Arjun Erigaisi Makes a Statement
After back-to-back classical losses, Arjun Erigaisi rebounded with a dramatic Armageddon win over Nakamura, capitalizing on a single blunder in a wild tactical fight.
Women’s Tournament: India Leads the Way
Koneru Humpy in Top Form
Veteran Indian GM Humpy Koneru leads the women’s standings with 8.5 points, after beating Lei Tingjie in a complex and intense battle.
Vaishali Rameshbabu Climbs the Ranks
Vaishali delivered her first classical win against Sara Khadem, jumping three spots and gaining nearly 10 rating points—a breakthrough performance on the global stage.
Sara Khadem’s Grit
Despite health concerns, Sara Khadem managed a notable win against Tingjie earlier in the tournament, proving her mettle under pressure.
Norway Chess 2025 Side Events: More Than Just a Tournament
Norway Chess continues to elevate the chess experience by offering inclusive events and promoting chess culture beyond the board:
Norway Chess Open 2025
Open to players of all skill levels with GM/ELO groups, this event offers opportunities to earn FIDE title norms and generous prize funds.
Norway Summit “The Next Move”
A forward-thinking tech and innovation conference featuring speakers like Viswanathan Anand and Anna Rosling Rönnlund, exploring chess’s link with AI, economics, and digital society.
Children & School Tournaments
Interactive outdoor events encourage young talents to step into the world of chess, nurturing the next generation of grandmasters.
Guinness World Record Blitz Attempt
Podcasters Askild Bryn and Odin Blikra Vea are attempting to play blitz chess for 61 consecutive hours, symbolizing the enduring passion behind the game.
How to Watch Norway Chess 2025 Live
Catch all the action with live broadcasts and commentary available on:
- Norwegian TV 2 Sport
- Chess.com
- Official Norway Chess Website & YouTube
Conclusion: Norway Chess 2025 Proves Why It’s One of the World’s Best
As the tournament enters its final rounds, Norway Chess 2025 continues to captivate global audiences. With high-stakes games, emotional victories, and a powerful commitment to gender equality and chess innovation, this year’s event solidifies Norway Chess as one of the premier tournaments in the international chess calendar.
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