Norway Chess 2025 R3: Gukesh ends his win drought with a Classical victory over World no.2, Nakamura
The World Champion, D Gukesh scored his first win at 13th Norway Chess 2025 in the third round. He defeated the World no.2, Hikaru Nakamura. Gukesh refused a draw offer on move no.3 30. His opponent blundered in the following move. Wei Yi (CHN) handed the World no.1, Magnus Carlsen (NOR) his second consecutive Armageddon loss. Fabiano Caruana (USA) defeated Arjun Erigaisi to emerge sole leader 6/9. He is closely followed by Carlsen 5/9, then Nakamura and Arjun at 4.5/9 each. Round 4 starts today from 5 p.m. local time, 8:30 p.m. IST. Apart from youtube, there is also a live broadcast on Sony Liv. Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza
Carlsen loses second Armageddon in-a-row
D Gukesh ended his win drought by scoring his first win of the event against Hikaru Nakamura and he did it in the Classical game, something he has not done before. Speaking of firsts, Wei Yi also has never beaten Magnus Carlsen in an over-the-board game. Since it was Armageddon, it was not a rated game, nevertheless, a win against the World no.1 in a field where World no.1 to 5 are taking part, is no small feat.
Gukesh - Nakamura: 3-0
The World Champion, D Gukesh (2787) has played only three Classical rated games against Hikaru Nakamura (USA, 2804). He lost the first one at the same event two years ago, drew the next two. After starting with two losses at this event, it was time for him to deliver the equalizer. Nakamura offered a draw on 30th move after 30...Qd7, Gukesh declined and then the American blundered in the following move.
After 31.h4 Black does not have an easy move and he blundered 31...Qd6?? while he was getting low in time. 32.Nxa7 Nd3 33.Nc6 and White went on to win the game in the next few moves, thanks to his b5-passed pawn.
Caruana - Arjun: 3-0
Fabiano Caruana (2776) and Arjun Erigaisi have played only two Classical rated games. Both ended in draws at Tata Steel, two years apart. Their third Classical encounter went in favor of the American who has already qualified for the Candidates 2026.
Black needed to retreat his knight back to f6. However, he played 24...Nd2 25.Rcd1 Nb3 26.g4 Bc8 27.Nc4+ Kc6 28.Bxg7 dxc4?? sacrificing the exchange did no good for Black 29.Bxf8+- and White went on to win comfortably.
Carlsen - Wei: 1-1.5
The World no.1, Magnus Carlsen (NOR, 2837) played six Classical rated games against Wei Yi (CHN, 2758). Carlsen won two, the last one being back in 2017 at Tata Steel, the remaining four ended in draws. They had their fifth draw in this round.
Armageddon
15...Rxc3! was a nice exchange sacrifice by Wei. White is forced to drop two pawns 16.Qxd7 Rxc2+ 17.Kb1 Rxg2+ 18.Qxf5 gxf5 19.Rd7 Rc8 and Black went on to win the game using his rooks meticulously combined with the fact that the World no.1 did not use his rooks to defend well.
For more Round 3 photos, please click here.
Replay live stream
Round 3 results
Standings after Round 3
Round 4 pairings
Magnus Carlsen - Arjun Erigaisi
D Gukesh - Fabiano Caruana
Hikaru Nakamura - Wei Yi
Format
6 players will take part in the Tournament.
The Tournament is a double-round event with Armageddon.
The Tournament consists of 10 rounds.
Berger tables will be used for the pairings.
Time Control
Each player will have 120 minutes on the clock with an increment of 10 seconds starting from move 41. The time control for the Armageddon game: white has 10 minutes and black has 7 minutes with an increment for both players of 1 second per move, starting from move 41.
Draw by Mutual Agreement
Players are not allowed to agree to a draw until at least 30 moves have been made by each player. This rule does not apply to Armageddon games.
Armageddon
If the classical game is drawn, an Armageddon game will be played. It shall start within 20 minutes of the conclusion of the classical game. The player with White pieces will continue with White in Armageddon. If the Armageddon game is drawn, black will win.
Points
Players will get the following points per round:
Win in the classical game: 3 points
Loss in the classical game: 0 points
Draw in the classical game & win Armageddon: 1½ points
Draw in the classical game & loss Armageddon: 1 point
Schedule
From 26th May to 6th June, every day game starts at 5 p.m. local time and 8:30 p.m. IST. Rest days are on Friday 30th May and Wednesday 4th June.
Prize money
Prize Money The total prize fund of the Tournament is 1690000 NOK. Distribution of Prize money occurs as followed:
1st - NOK 700000
2nd - NOK 350000
3rd - NOK 200000
4th - NOK 170000
5th - NOK 150000
6th - NOK 120000
Watch the tournaments live at the venue:
Venue: Finansparken. For ticket info, visit here.
Ticket prices per day:
Adults: 200 NOK
Children and youth (under 18): 100 NOK
Family: 400 NOK
Links
Norway Chess: Official site, facebook, twitter, instagram, youtube, linkedin
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गुकेश और कार्लसन मुक़ाबला थोड़ी देर में ! नॉर्वे शतरंज का होगा आगाज
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