Who Is The World Champion Gukesh's Opponent In The Opening Round Of The Norway Chess Tournament

At the Norway Chess competition, world champion D. Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi will lead India’s campaign against players like Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura from Monday (May 26, 2025). They are capable of defeating the most formidable opponents in the classical chess style.

Erigaisi will make his tournament debut against Wei Yi of China, while Gukesh will face world No. 1 Carlsen in the first round in what might be one of the most hotly contested matchups.

In the opening round of the women’s division, countrymate R Vaishali will face two-time World Rapid champion Koneru Humpy.

One of the most prominent chess tournaments on the calendar is Norway Chess, which features six players in both the men’s and women’s divisions and is played in a double round-robin format.

India has two players in the men’s division for the first time, increasing their chances of winning the tournament, which was first held in 2013, and going all the way. Viswanathan Anand, a five-time world champion, was one of ten of the top players in the field at the time.

Both Gukesh and Erigaisi will have the drive and resolve to challenge five-time world champion Carlsen, who has won half a dozen titles here. Anand, who has participated in the tournament more than half a dozen times and placed second in 2015, had recently stated that he anticipated a “very exciting battle.”

The fact that there are four Indians in the field further indicates how popular chess has become in the nation, even though it is difficult to defeat Carlsen, American Grandmasters Nakamura, and the Chinese women’s team of Ju Wenjun and Lie Tingjie.

Nakamura, who is ranked second in the world behind Carlsen.Nakamura is one of the most challenging players to deal with in the case of a stalemate if the game switches to the Armageddon style.

Gukesh (world No. 3) and Erigaisi (No. 4) are ranked below Nakamura and it would take a great deal of perseverance and fortitude to overcome the defense of local heroes Carlsen and Nakamura.

Gukesh is vying for this elusive trophy after defeating China’s Ding Liren in Singapore last year to win the global title.

Praggnanandhaa, a countryman, defeated Gukesh earlier this year in the Tata Steel Masters after Gukesh lost badly in the Paris Freestyle Chess Tournament. In the previous Superbet Classic in Bucharest, where Praggnanandhaa won the title, the Chennai youth was likewise unable to put on a strong performance.

Praggnanandhaa has been quite successful this year, whereas Gukesh has had a significant downturn since his world title-winning performance. However, it will only be a matter of time before the youth finds his rhythm.

Men Players: Magnus Carlsen (Nor), Hikaru Nakamura (USA), D. Gukesh (Ind), Arjun Erigaisi (Ind), Fabiano Caruana (USA), Wei Yi (Chn).

Women Players: Ju Wenjun (Chn), Lie Tingjie (Chn), Koneru Humpy (Ind), Anna Muzychuk (Ukr), R. Vaishali (Ind), Sarasadat Khademalsharieh (Esp).