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The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
World Champion Gukesh to take on Carlsen in opening round of Norway Chess
Possessing the ability to trump the fiercest rivals in the classical chess style, world champion D. Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi will spearhead India's challenge at the Norway Chess tournament, where they will compete against the likes of Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura from Modnday (May 26, 2025). Gukesh will take on world No.1 Carlsen in the opening round in what should be one of the most keenly contested matches in the tournament, while first-timer Erigaisi will open his campaign against Wei Yi of China. In the women's section, two-time World Rapid champion Koneru Humpy will play country-mate R Vaishali in the first round. Norway Chess, comprising of six players in 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 is the first time India have two players in the men's section, raising hopes of going all the way and clinching a maiden title for India in the tournament, which was first played in 2013. At that time, it featured 10 of the best players in the field, including five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand. Anand, who has played the tournament more than half-a-dozen times and finished runner-up in 2015, had recently said that he expected a 'very exciting battle' as both Gukesh and Erigaisi will not lack motivation or the determination to go after five-time world champion Carlsen, who has won half a dozen titles here. The presence of four Indians in the field also speaks about the growth of chess in the country though the task of getting past the likes of Carlsen and American Grandmasters Nakamura and the Chinese women's duo of Ju Wenjun and Lie Tingjie is easier said than done. Nakamura is ranked second in the world behind Carlsen and is one of the most difficult customers if the game goes into the Armageddon format in the event of a stalemate. Both Gukesh (world No.3) and Erigaisi (No.4) are ranked below him, and it would require immense grit and endurance to break through the defence of local hero Carlsen and Nakamura. Gukesh, following his world title-winning feat against China's Ding Liren in Singapore last year, is searching for this elusive title. He struggled in the Freestyle chess tournament in Paris and lost the Tata Steel Masters title to countrymate R. Praggnanandhaa earlier this year. The Chennai teenager also could not put up an impressive show in the Superbet Classic in Bucharest recently, with Praggnanandhaa winning the title. While Gukesh has seen a big slump since his world title-winning feat, Praggnanandhaa has been on fire this year. But it's only a matter of time before the teenager gets into his groove. The women's category, introduced last year, has women's world rapid champion Koneru Humpy and R Vaishali competing for the title with Chinese heavyweights, women's world champion Ju Wenjun and her challenger Tan Zhongyi. Humpy's clash with Wenjun could decide who wins the title, given that the Indian has kept the fire burning in her for more than two decades and still looks hungry for more, as was proved when she won the world rapid title on New York for a second time late last year in New York. The tournament boasts equal prize money, something very few chess events offer, and could be a motivation for the women competitors as well. The total prize fund is around $1,62,681. Men: Magnus Carlsen (Nor), Hikaru Nakamura (USA), D. Gukesh (Ind), Arjun Erigaisi (Ind), Fabiano Caruana (USA), Wei Yi (Chn). Women: Women: Ju Wenjun (Chn), Lie Tingjie (Chn), Koneru Humpy (Ind), Anna Muzychuk (Ukr), R. Vaishali (Ind), Sarasadat Khademalsharieh (Esp).
News18
25-05-2025
- Sport
- News18
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
Hindustan Times
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Shots fired at Magnus Carlsen as FIDE CEO serves jeans controversy reminder with brutal dig: ‘Does it look appropriate?'
Magnus Carlsen's jeans controversy during the World Rapid and Blitz Championships in New York last year was a sensational affair. The World No. 1 played the initial rounds of the Rapid tournament wearing jeans, which are prohibited under tournament regulations. The Norwegian was given the opportunity to immediately change his attire, but he disagreed with the chief arbiter. In response, he was disqualified for the future pairings of the day. Carlsen was allowed to return the next day, but instead he withdrew from the tournament. At the last minute, FIDE managed to get him for the Blitz tournament, where he once again courted controversy in the final as he shared the title with Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi. Fast forward to April 2025, FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky reminded chess fans that he hasn't forgotten about the jeans controversy, and took another dig at Carlsen. Carlsen was recently in action at the Grenke Chess Freestyle Open 2025, where he came out on top with a perfect 9/9 score. Posting a photo of the Grenke prize ceremony, Sutovsky questioned the dress code of the top GMs on the stage, along with Jan Henric Buettner. He wrote, 'Now a serious question - as we get back to review the dress code for FIDE events this year. 'Do you, as a spectator, feel it really does not matter? 'I think Grenke was a great event with hundreds of amateurs - but I am talking specifically about the top players. The photo is from the prize giving ceremony. Does it look appropriate? And if you were the host/organizer, would you have welcomed similar attire? 'Apart of spectators we will obviously inquire the opinion of hosting country, sponsors, broadcasters. And then we try to see what players think about it. But first thing first. He concluded, 'What's your take?' Recently, Carlsen publicly stated that his ugly war with FIDE was over, but he would prefer maintaining distance from the international body. Speaking to Reuters, he said, 'I'm not really very interested in what FIDE are doing. I'm sort of trying to do my things, being with the Esports World Cup, Freestyle.' 'FIDE's crown jewel is the classical world championship, right? That's what gives FIDE legacy and legitimacy, and none of us are going after that,' he added.
