Norway Chess 2025 R7: Gukesh bests Arjun Erigaisi, climbs up to the second place
A win against Magnus Carlsen is undoubtedly a huge confidence boost. The World Champion continues his momentum as he won his second Classical game in-a-row at 13th Norway Chess. In the seventh round, he defeated his compatriot, Arjun Erigaisi who missed an opportunity to maintain a firm grip of the position. Once he loosened, Gukesh got back in the game and eventually turned things in his favor. Magnus Carlsen (NOR) was in no mood to play Classical chess. He drew quite possibly his final Classical game against Hikaru Nakamura (USA) and won Armageddon. Fabiano Caruana (USA) won against Wei Yi (CHN) for the second time at this event to gain sole lead 12.5/21. Round 8 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
Caruana emerges sole leader
With two consecutive Classical wins, the World Champion, D Gukesh has moved up to the second place 11.5/21, one full point behind Fabiano Caruana. Magnus Carlsen is at 11/21. All three of them have great chances to win the tournament. It goes without saying that the last three rounds are going to be quite exciting.
Gukesh - Arjun: 3-0
The World Champion, D Gukesh (2776) lost the first Classical battle against Arjun Erigaisi (2782) at this event. The World no.3 made the decision to play Pirc Defence and got a pleasant position out of the opening.
Black needed to play 25...Rf2! 26.Ne4 Bxh3! 27.gxh3 Bh2+ 28.Kh1 Bc7 and he would have gained a significant upper hand. Of course, the rook cannot be taken as 26.Qxf2?? Rxf2 27.Kxg2 Bf4 and Black is winning. Arjun played 25...Bf4 26.Rxe6 Bxd2 27.Rxg6+ Kh7 28.Qe6 and White is back in the game. After a bit of inaccurate play, White was in driver's seat. He capitalized on his extra pawn advantage and won the game.
Carlsen - Nakamura: 1.5-1
The World no.1, Magnus Carlsen (NOR, 2837) was not in a mood to play Classical chess. Hence, he made a quick draw with Hikaru Nakamura (USA, 2804) in 21 moves. It was also the first result of the round.
Armageddon
14.Nxc3! is something Carlsen spotted on the board among various tempting options. 14...Bxc3 does not work due to 15.Nc4 threatening Nd6. The game continued 14...0-0 15.Bxb4 axb4 16.Nxd7 Nxd7 17.Na4 and White went on to win the game.
Caruana - Wei: 3-0
Fabiano Caruana (USA, 2776) defeated Wei Yi (CHN, 2758) in Classical earlier at this event. In the rematch, the result was the same too. Wei misplayed in the rook and opposite color bishop endgame and lost the game.
Replay live stream
Round 7 results
Standings after Round 7
Round 8 pairings
Arjun Erigaisi - Fabiano Caruana
Wei Yi - Magnus Carlsen
Hikaru Nakamura - D Gukesh
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
