Norway Chess 2025: Gukesh Defeats Arjun Erigaisi in his First Classical Match

Norway Chess 2025: After Round 7 of the Norway Chess competition, reigning world champion D. Gukesh advanced to sole second place after making a grueling comeback to defeat fellow countryman Arjun Erigaisi for the first time in classical chess.

Magnus Carlsen, the top player in the world, lost a match against Gukesh that he should have won. It was Arjun Erigaisi on Tuesday, who at one time had a big advantage on the clock and the board, but Gukesh forced his resignation in 92 moves. Prior to Monday, Gukesh had lost against Arjun six times in classical chess, but his two wins marked the first time he had overcome them. Gukesh went from last in the six-player rankings to second place thanks to the two victories.

“I was just losing at some point, was slowly getting outplayed. From the opening, nothing went my way,” Gukesh said. “But once I got to this position, I had to keep making moves that don’t lose on the spot. And then in the time scramble, things happen.”

Magnus Carlsen (11), the reigning champion who defeated Hikaru Nakamura in Armageddon, is now ahead of the 19-year-old with 11.5 points. With 7.5, Arjun fell to sixth place. After defeating Wei Yi, who is still at the bottom with 6.5 points, Fabiano Caruana now leads the rankings with 12.5 points. On 8.5, Nakamura is in fourth place.

Ju Wenjun led the women’s division with 11.5 points. In Armageddon, Anna Muzychuk (11) defeated Koneru Humpy (10.5). In time difficulties, R. Vaishali lost against Lei Tingjie of China.

With no need for a tie-break, this was Gukesh’s second consecutive classical victory and a sort of payback for his defeat by Erigaisi in Round 2. Additionally, the triumph came after a stunning victory over Carlsen in Round 6.

Grzegorz Gajewski, Gukesh’s coach, commended the tenacity even if he admitted it wasn’t his cleanest effort.

Results (Round 7)

Magnus Carlsen (Nor – 11) defeated Hikaru Nakamura (USA – 8.5) in the Armageddon tie-break; D Gukesh (Ind – 11.5 points) defeated Arjun Erigaisi (Ind – 7.5); Fabiano Caruana (USA – 12.5) defeated Wei Yi (Chn – 6.5).

Women: In the Armageddon tie-break, Lei Tingjie (Chn – 9) defeated R Vaishali (Ind – 8); Ju Wenjun (Chn – 11.5 points) defeated Sara Khadem (Esp – 6); and Koneru Humpy (Ind – 10.5) fell to Anna Muzychuk (Ukr – 11).