Delhi, 7 June (H.S.): Five-time World champion Magnus Carlsen secured his seventh Norway Chess title after Fabiano Caruana defeated D Gukesh in the final round, earning three points. Gukesh, despite an initial disadvantage against Caruana, attempted a comeback but lost track of time, resulting in a handshake with just two seconds left, visibly frustrated. Carlsen finished the tournament with 16 points, drawing against Arjun Erigaisi from a tough position. Caruana followed closely with 15.5 points, while Gukesh claimed third for the second consecutive tournament with 14.5 points, and Erigaisi finished fifth with 12.5 points.

In the women's section, Anna Muzychuk, the overnight leader and two-time World blitz champion, triumphed with 16.5 points despite losing in an Armageddon tie-break to R. Vaishali in the final round. Both players earned a point from their classical draw, while Vaishali gained an additional half-point from the Armageddon win, finishing with 11 points. Had Vaishali won the classical match against Muzychuk, she would have hindered Muzychuk’s points and potentially given Koneru Humpy the title if Humpy had also won her match against Ju Wenjun. However, Humpy could only manage a draw followed by a win in Armageddon, finishing with 15 points.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar