Gukesh vs Carlsen: Norway Chess 2025 set to feature epic clash between new chess king and five-time world champion
Norway’s Magnus Carlsen, the world’s highest-rated player, will take on 18-year-old D. Gukesh, the youngest World Champion in history, at Norway Chess 2025.
Gukesh made headlines on last Thursday when he defeated China’s Ding Liren, securing the World Championship title and bringing it back to India for the first time since Viswanathan Anand’s reign.
The renowned tournament is set to take place in Stavanger from May 26 to June 6 next year,
Gukesh had had a remarkable 2024 season. He started with a four-way tie for first place at Tata Steel Masters, won the Candidates tournament, led India to gold at the Chess Olympiad, and finally, claimed the ultimate prize in classical chess: the World Championship title.
READ | World Chess Championship 2024: The plan was to exhaust Ding Liren, explains Gukesh’s coach Gajewski
“I’m excited to face the strongest players in the world again in Norway and also the Armageddons will be fun,” Gukesh said. When asked about his preparation, he added, “I’ll prepare as I usually do and try to be the best version of myself in every way.”
In 2023, Gukesh finished third in Stavanger.
China’s Wei Yi and Ju Wenjun, India’s Arjun Erigaisi and R. Vaishali, and Ukraine’s Anna Muzychuk are the other players who have confirmed their presence for next year’s edition.