Norway Chess 2025 just wrapped up, and wow, what a tournament it was! Magnus Carlsen took home his seventh Norway Chess title, proving once again why he’s still the king of classical chess. On the women’s side, Anna Muzychuk played super solid and undefeated to claim the top spot. But honestly, the biggest highlight wasn’t the final standings. It was one game that everyone’s still talking about.
Ready for a quick recap? Let’s dive into this!
The Most Unpredictable Tournament
The tournament from the beginning to the last round was complicated and unpredictable due to the upsets and unexpected wins. Magnus Carlsen kicked things off strong with a smooth win over Gukesh D. He played his usual calm, controlling game until Gukesh made a costly queen check that let Magnus slip in a tricky king march and grab the first point.
But Gukesh wasn’t done yet.
Fast forward to Round 6, and Gukesh had his shot at revenge. This time, he was White. The game looked pretty even for a while, with Magnus controlling most of the play. It seemed like he was going to win the full 3 points.
Then, out of nowhere, Gukesh played a move that shocked everyone, especially Magnus. He played 52…Ne2+??, sacrificing his knight in a desperate attempt to push a passed pawn.
Gukesh stayed calm, calculated everything perfectly, and just when Magnus thought he had a chance, Gukesh returned his knight at the right moment to stop the pawn with a 100% accuracy! The final move was 62. Kf4, sealing the deal and ending Magnus’s hopes.
Magnus was visibly frustrated… he slammed the table! Then shook hands, and stormed out. That clip went viral instantly. Memes flooded the internet, including one of a jumping cat that even Gukesh couldn’t stop laughing about.
This wasn’t just a win for Gukesh; it was his first-ever classical victory over Magnus, and it happened in the most dramatic way possible. Grandmaster David Howell called it the “turnaround of the year,” and honestly, it’s hard to disagree.
Magnus Bounces Back
Even after that tough loss, Magnus was still at the top, heading into the last round, he was only half a point ahead of Gukesh. His final classical game was against Arjun Erigaisi, and it was a tense battle. Magnus was in real trouble, and a loss could’ve cost him the title.
But Magnus managed a draw, and then faced Arjun in Armageddon and lost! Instead of resigning after the blunder, Magnus graciously allowed Arjun to deliver the checkmate. It was a classy move and a nice way to end the tournament on a sportsmanship note.
Meanwhile, Gukesh had chances to beat Caruana but made some mistakes at the end, which gave Magnus the victory. So, Magnus secured his seventh Norway Chess crown.
The Final Scores
| Player | Country | Points | Prize money (NOK) | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnus Carlsen | NOR | 16 | 700,000 NOK | $61,600 |
| Fabiano Caruana | USA | 15.5 | 350,000 NOK | $30,800 |
| Gukesh Dommaraju | IND | 14.5 | 200,000 NOK | $17,600 |
Final Thoughts
Gukesh’s win over Magnus will go down as one of the most exciting upsets, especially because he fought from a tough position and beat one of the greatest players ever.
And even with that upset, Magnus proved he’s still top of the game, finishing on top and showing his incredible consistency and mindset. When things go wrong, he just finds a way to come out on top.
It’s been a wild ride, and honestly, we can’t wait to see Gukesh and Magnus face off again soon!
If you enjoyed this recap, stay tuned for more updates, analysis, and stories from the chess world. And don’t forget to follow The New England Chess School!