Magnus Carlsen says Gukesh won't be favourite in World Championship match vs Hikaru, Caruana, Nepomniachtchi
Magnus Carlsen believes that recently-anointed world chess champion Gukesh Dommaraju will not be a favourite to retain the crown next year if one of the old-timers like Hikaru Nakamura, Fabiano Caruana or Ian Nepomniachtchi earn the right to challenge the Indian teenager in the next World Championship.
After defeating Caruana in round 9 to surge into the lead in the Norway Chess standings on Friday morning, Carlsen was asked if Hikaru could win the Candidates and beat Gukesh (in the World Championship)?
'I think if Hikaru or Fabi (Caruana) — or probably Nepo (Ian Nepomniachtchi) for that matter — win the Candidates they would be, at the moment, they would be a favorite in a match against Gukesh. Hikaru's come close twice. He's still extremely good so there's no reason why he couldn't, Carlsen told Chess24 in an interview.
Carlsen has excused himself from the race to earn a shot at the world champion's crown. He won the world championship five times without losing once, starting from 2013, but then walked away from the throne without fighting for it.
ALSO READ: Magnus Carlsen says loss to Gukesh ended his dream of playing really good tournament
Since he left, Ding Liren and Gukesh have claimed the crown. Now Carlsen believes that his contemporaries like Nakamura, Caruana and Nepomniachtchi will be favourites against Gukesh.
In one of the only tournaments he plays in classical chess — Norway Chess — Carlsen finds himself one game away from winning the title after Thursday's round 9. His closest competitor is Gukesh, who beat Carlsen recently which led to the irate World No 1 to smash the table in anger. Carlsen had since apologised but the incident has made headlines globally.
On Friday, Carlsen plays another member of India's golden generation, Arjun Erigaisi.
'Arjun will always want to fight. So I am prepared for a fight for sure,' Carlsen told Chess24.
When asked how he was going to prepare for game against Arjun, Carlsen said: 'It's hard to say. Playing Arjun is a little bit like playing even Ivanchuk back in the day. It's just somebody who doesn't really play for a lot of draws. Just is out to get you. So playing with black, I'm sure we'll get some sort of complicated game and I'll try and do my best from there.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
KL Rahul century powers India A to strong start vs England Lions in Northampton
India A got off to a commanding start in the second unofficial Test against England Lions at Northampton, riding on a composed and classy century from senior India batter KL Rahul. Making a return to red-ball cricket after injury setbacks, Rahul's innings was not just crucial for India A's position in the match but also a promising sign for the senior Indian side ahead of their high-stakes five-match Test series against England later this was cautious in the early stages of his knock, showing discipline in shot selection and letting the ball come to him. Batting under overcast skies and against a fresh England Lions pace attack, he took his time — reaching his half-century in 102 balls. But once settled, Rahul made a switch in his approach and went into attack mode, but with remarkable control. Growing in confidence and playing a range of crisp shots, including his trademark cover drives, - he brought up his century in 151 Lions vs India A, 2nd unofficial Test: Highlights His innings played a stabilising role after India A lost two early wickets — Yashasvi Jaiswal and Abhimanyu Easwaran — both LBW to Chris Woakes in the first 11 overs. Rahul first stitched a steady 86-run stand with Karun Nair, who has been in fine form himself. Nair, who scored a double century in the first unofficial Test in Canterbury, looked solid before being trapped LBW by then built on that platform with Dhruv Jurel, who added an impressive 52 off 87 deliveries. Their 121-run partnership ensured India A kept control through the middle session. Even after Rahul's dismissal, Nitish Kumar Reddy added a handy 34 runs to take India A to a strong position by Woakes was the pick of the bowlers for the Lions, finishing with 3/50, while George Hill claimed two wickets. India A will resume Day 2 with Tanush Kotian and Anshul Kamboj at the crease.
Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
Magnus Carlsen faces Gukesh in final round at Stavanger amid possible classical chess exit
IANS Stavanger (Norway), June 7 (IANS) Magnus Carlsen faces Gukesh Dommaraju in the final round at Stavanger, following a rare classical loss and amid speculation this could be his last classical chess tournament appearance Carlsen prepares for final round amid retirement speculation Magnus Carlsen enters the final round of the 2024 Norway Chess tournament in Stavanger after a surprising classical loss to Gukesh Dommaraju. The defeat marked Carlsen's first classical loss to a reigning world champion since 2010, when he was beaten by Viswanathan Anand in the standings tight, Carlsen leads with 15 points, just ahead of Gukesh at 14.5. Hikaru Nakamura (13 points) and Fabiano Caruana (12.5) also remain in contention. The final-round pairings are: Arjun Erigaisi vs. Carlsen, Caruana vs. Gukesh, and Wei Yi vs. Nakamura. Also read: Magnus Carlsen wanted to draw some line in the sand by beating Gukesh in Norway Chess: Viswanathan Anand Speculation has grown that this could be Carlsen's final appearance in a classical chess event. Speaking on the Take Take Take podcast, he stated, 'It's a long time since I enjoyed a classical tournament.' Despite this, a tournament victory remains in reach. World Rapid and Blitz Championships set for London Following Stavanger, attention shifts to the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in London. The event will take place from June 11 to June 15 at the Novotel London West Hotel in Hammersmith. Matches will run daily from 1:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., with limited tickets teams are expected, including top players like Hikaru Nakamura and Ian Nepomniachtchi. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan will field strong national teams. However, the top-seeded team is WR, led by German businessman Wadim Rosenstein. The team includes Nakamura, Nepomniachtchi, Hou Yifan, and Alexandra is not expected to participate in the World Rapid and Blitz event, continuing his public rift with FIDE. Notable English squads include Malcolm's Mates, seeded ninth, and e-therapeutics, seeded 19th and featuring 10-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan. Adams and Clarke share Cambridge chess title In domestic competition, the Cambridge tournament concluded with eight-time British champion Michael Adams and blitz specialist Brandon Clarke sharing first place with 7.5 out of 9 points. Clarke secured his final-round win with the Hungarian Dragon Sicilian in just 21 moves. Also read: 'I've also banged a lot of tables': Gukesh reacts to Carlsen's Norway Chess meltdown Adams has remained unbeaten over three years at the Cambridge tournament, now with 27 straight games without loss. His consistent performances highlight his strategic approach and experience, even as younger challengers rise through the ranks. His primary domestic rival has been Dan continues to be a stronghold for Adams, while other key events loom. Prize money at Cambridge ranges from £1,500 to £600. In comparison, the British Championship in Liverpool this August offers top prizes of £6,000 to £1,500. The English Championship in Warwick this July will award between £2,000 and £ rising youth talent and returning veterans, the English chess calendar remains competitive. Roman Shogdzhiev of Russia, now the youngest international master at age 10, is a rising star to watch in future events.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Gukesh blunders against Caruana as Carlsen wins Norway Chess for seventh time
Last Updated: Stavanger (Norway), Jun 6 (PTI) Five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen clinched his seventh Norway Chess title after American Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana did a good turn by defeating star India player D Gukesh to grab three full points in the final round of Norway Chess here. It was an unforgettable day for Gukesh, who after being in a disadvantageous position against 2018 Norway Chess Champion Caruana tried to stage a comeback but with the Indian running out of time, he committed and immediately know his chances had evaporated with in a second. Gukesh offered a handshake with just two second left on the clock and then covered his face with his hands in frustration. Defending champion Carlsen ended the tournament with 16 points after drawing with the other Indian in the tournament, Arjun Erigaisi, from an unfavourable position. Caruana finished second with 15.5 points, while Gukesh ended third – the second time he has finished in as many Norway Chess tournaments – with 14.5 points. Erigaisi was fifth with 12.5 points. In the women's section, overnight leader and two-time world blitz champion, Ukraine's Anna Muzychuk won the title with 16.5 points despite an Armageddon tie-break loss to India's R. Vaishali in the final round. Muzychuk's draw in the classical game against the Indian earned both players a point each, while Vaishali secured another half a point by beating the Ukrainian in the Armageddon sudden death to finish on 11 points. The Norway Chess format gives three points for a classical win. In the event of a draw, the players share one point each, which is followed by the Armageddon tie-break, where the winner earns another half point. Had Vaishali defeated Muzychuk — who was on 15.5 points overnight — in the Classical game, she would have deprived the Ukrainian Grandmaster of three points, which would have propelled Koneru Humpy to the title had the two-time world rapid champion too got the better of Chinese world champion Ju Wenjun in the Classical game. Unfortunately, Humpy, who was on 13.5 points overnight after round 9, could only manage a draw with white pieces to earn one point. She got another half point by overcoming Wenjun in the Armageddon tie-break to earn 1.5 points, and finish with 15 points. PTI AM GSP First Published: June 07, 2025, 01:15 IST
