Norway Chess, Round 1: D Gukesh To Take On Magnus Carlsen, Erigaisi Set To Debut
Gukesh faces Carlsen while Erigaisi meets Wei Yi in a blockbuster Norway Chess opener for India.
World champion D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi, who possess the ability to outperform the fiercest rivals in classical chess, will lead India's challenge at the Norway Chess tournament. They will compete against top players like Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura starting Monday.
Gukesh will face world No.1 Carlsen in the opening round, which promises to be one of the most keenly contested matches of the tournament. Meanwhile, first-time participant Erigaisi will begin his campaign against China's Wei Yi.
In the women's section, two-time World Rapid champion Koneru Humpy will play against her compatriot R Vaishali in the first round.
Norway Chess, featuring six players in both the men's and women's sections and played in a double round-robin format, is one of the most prestigious events on the chess calendar.
This year marks the first time India has two players in the men's section, raising hopes of securing a maiden title for the country in this tournament, first held in
advetisement
The inaugural event included 10 of the best players, among them five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand.
Anand, who has competed in the tournament more than six times and finished runner-up in 2015, recently expressed his anticipation for a 'very exciting battle." He believes both Gukesh and Erigaisi have the motivation and determination to challenge five-time world champion Carlsen, who has won six titles here.
The participation of four Indian players highlights the growth of chess in the country, although overcoming opponents like Carlsen, American Grandmasters Nakamura, and Chinese women's duo Ju Wenjun and Lie Tingjie will be a formidable task.
Nakamura is ranked second in the world behind Carlsen and is particularly challenging if the game reaches the Armageddon format in the event of a stalemate.
Gukesh (world No.3) and Erigaisi (No.4) are ranked below Nakamura, needing immense grit and endurance to penetrate the defenses of Carlsen and Nakamura.
Following his world title-winning feat against China's Ding Liren in Singapore last year, Gukesh is in pursuit of this elusive title. He faced struggles in the Freestyle chess tournament in Paris and lost the Tata Steel Masters title to compatriot R Praggnanandhaa earlier this year. Additionally, the Chennai teenager did not impress in the Superbet Classic in Bucharest recently, where Praggnanandhaa claimed the title.
Despite his recent slump since winning the world title, Gukesh is expected to regain his form soon. Praggnanandhaa, on the other hand, has been in exceptional form this year.
In the women's category introduced last year, Koneru Humpy and R Vaishali will compete against Chinese heavyweights Ju Wenjun and her challenger Tan Zhongyi. Humpy's clash with Wenjun could be pivotal in deciding the title, given Humpy's sustained competitive fire over two decades, as evidenced by her second world rapid title win in New York late last year.
The tournament offers equal prize money, which is rare in chess events and could motivate women competitors. The total prize fund is around USD 162,681.
Men: Magnus Carlsen (Nor), Hikaru Nakamura (USA), D Gukesh (Ind), Arjun Erigaisi (Ind), Fabiano Caruana (USA), Wei Yi (Chn).
Women: Ju Wenjun (Chn), Lie Tingjie (Chn), Koneru Humpy (Ind), Anna Muzychuk (Ukr), R Vaishali (Ind), Sarasadat Khademalsharieh (Esp).
(with PTI Inputs)
First Published:
May 25, 2025, 22:13 IST
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
41 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Coach Manolo optimistic on eve of India's AFC Asian Cup qualifier tie
The recent defeat against Thailand notwithstanding, India head coach Manolo Mrquez on Monday exuded confidence on the eve of their vital 2027 Asian Cup qualifier match against Hong Kong here. Placed in Pot 1 for the qualifiers, India, ranked 127th, got off to a slow start in the qualifiers with a draw against Bangladesh in March before losing 0-2 to Thailand in a friendly last week. "In my opinion, most coaches are not worried about the scores in the friendly games. We are focussing on the important match (Hong Kong)," Manolo said. "I know everyone speaks about the score (against Thailand). But if we scored from the chances we created, it would have been different. This is football." Out of the three matches they have played so far this year, they have won one, drawn one, and lost one. The Group C table is still a clean slate with all four teams level on a point apiece after both games on matchday 1 on March 25 ended goalless. India and Bangladesh drew in Shillong, while Hong Kong also got a point away to Singapore. Only the group winners will qualify for the Asian Cup in 2027. "Our preparations have been much better this time, if we compare with the previous FIFA windows, where you practically don't have too much time. "We had about three weeks to prepare, between Kolkata, Bangkok, and here in Hong Kong. And we are ready to perform. Nothing special," said Manolo. "The environment in the team is quite good as well. Obviously, in all teams across the world, the environment is better when you are winning games constantly. But the environment, the relationship between the players, regardless of the results, is very good," he added. India centre-back Konsham Chinglensana Singh echoed the coach's words. "We are well prepared for the game after three weeks in the camp. Mentally, and physically, we have prepared well, and are ready for the game," he said. India, who made it to two successive Asian Cups for the first time in 2023, are aiming to extend the streak. Hong Kong also qualified for the previous tournament, but with only one available berth, either side is bound to miss out. In what will be the inaugural football match at the newly built 50,000-capacity Kai Tak Stadium, the tickets reportedly have been sold out and a full house can be expected on Tuesday. "We will try to enjoy the situation in this stadium. I don't know if it will be completely full, but a lot of people will be there. It will be a nice event, but obviously, we are focusing on winning the game," said Manolo. Hong Kong's head coach, Ashley Westwood, is no stranger to Indian football, having coached clubs like Bengaluru FC, ATK, and Punjab FC before taking up international coaching roles, first in Afghanistan, followed by Hong Kong. "I went to India in 2013, and the country is a million miles away from where it was back then. I know their coach, I watched the ISL. He's a good coach, and he's been doing good things with FC Goa. He coaches right, he prepares right, and his players are always fit. "The spirit's good in the squad, and everybody gets on with each other. We're looking forward to it," he said. India and Hong Kong have crossed swords 24 times. The Blue Tigers have won nine of these matches, while Hong Kong have won eight. Seven matches have ended in draws.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
AIYF leaders demand cancellation of IPL matches due to negative impact on youth and rise in betting
CPI affiliated All India Youth Federation (AIYF) Visakhapatnam district unit leaders and activists have demanded cancellation of IPL cricket matches across the country as they are spoiling the lives of the youth, especially students. The latest incident in which 11 youths died due to a stampede in Bengaluru is an example of the commercial sports programme and its direct impact on the youth and their lives, the activists said. Speaking to reporters at the Gandhi statue here on Monday, AIYF district president Y. Rambabu and secretary Achyutharao said that corporate companies have spoiled cricket by luring players with money to create a special cricket division called IPL. It has become a business event of these corporate bigwigs. In the name of sports, these IPL owners are running a sports programme where the youth and students are targetted. The youth are addicted to this commercial entertainment programme, and suffer huge financial and career losses, they added. In those days, government authorities used to organise One Day International (ODI) matches between countries, and the players and matches were entirely from a particular country, so those players inspired Indians. But in the case of these IPL matches, there are rivalries with Indian players when they represent different IPL franchises. They lamented that this creates an unhealthy situation in the minds of the youth. More importantly, during IPL matches, the youth fall for cricket betting. They said that many middle-class people are suffering from this evil act.
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Got Plenty To Prove, Especially...: Michael Vaughans Big Statement On Shubman Gills Appointment As Indias Test Captain
Former England captain Michael Vaughan feels that appointing the 25-year-old Shubman Gill as India's Test captain, ahead of the five-Test series against England, is a "bold move" following the retirements of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the red-ball format. Gill will lead India in their first assignment of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle in England, starting on June 20 in Leeds. The right-handed opening batter will have wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant as his deputy. With the sudden Test retirements of Rohit and Kohli last month, India's batting attack will pretty much be spearheaded by Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul and Pant. Vaughan said Gill has a task to prove himself on foreign soil, adding that he has the temperament to rise on big occasions. 'Well, it's official - Shubman Gill is the new face of Indian Test cricket, stepping up as captain for the England series. It's a bold move, trusting a young leader with a new-look team after the retirements of giants like Rohit and Kohli. Gill's got plenty to prove, especially away from home, but he's shown he's got the temperament for big moments," said Vaughan, who is part of Sony Sports Network's start-studded panel and commentators for the series. The veteran England batter added that England tour could be the start of something special for India's next generation. "With Rishabh Pant as his deputy and a squad hungry to make their mark, this England tour could be the start of something special for India's next generation. Don't be surprised if these youngsters rise to the occasion," Vaughan added. Legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar echoed Vaughan's sentiments, saying the world is waiting to see how the youngster-led Indian team perform in the series. "There's always something special about an Indian team touring England, and this time, with a new young captain and terrific young players, the excitement and anticipation among fans are at an all-time high - everyone is eager to see how these young cricketers will rise to the occasion and carve out their own legacy," said Gavaskar, who will join Vaughan in the English commentary box for the tour. The upcoming India tour of England marks a significant new chapter for Team India, as a fresh squad prepares to take on one of cricket's most challenging assignments in English conditions. Historically, India's success in Test series on English soil has been rare, with the team having won a Test series in England only three times in the past 100 years. These landmark victories came in 1971, 1986, and 2007, each time under the leadership of a new or first-time captain - Ajit Wadekar in 1971, Kapil Dev in 1986, and Rahul Dravid in 2007 - highlighting the pivotal role of new leadership in these historic triumphs.
