Indian chess sensation D Gukesh, who recently made history by becoming the youngest ever candidate to challenge for the World Championship, has finally broken his silence on his underwhelming performance at Norway Chess 2025, admitting he is “really unhappy” with how he played in Stavanger.
The 18-year-old, ranked World No. 3, finished in 6th place in the elite 10-player field, scoring 9 points out of a possible 27. The tournament, held between May 27 and June 7, saw World Champion Magnus Carlsen clinch his record-extending 6th Norway Chess title, while Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana took second and third respectively.
🔍 Gukesh’s Tournament Performance
| Round | Opponent | Result | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wesley So | Lost | Classical |
| 2 | Magnus Carlsen | Lost | Classical |
| 3 | Alireza Firouzja | Won (Armageddon) | Rapid Armageddon |
| 4 | Hikaru Nakamura | Lost | Classical |
| 5 | Praggnanandhaa | Lost (Armageddon) | Rapid Armageddon |
| 6 | Nodirbek Abdusattorov | Won | Classical |
| 7 | Fabiano Caruana | Lost (Armageddon) | Rapid Armageddon |
| 8 | Shakhriyar Mamedyarov | Lost | Classical |
| 9 | Aryan Tari | Won | Classical |
Despite wins against Abdusattorov, Firouzja, and Tari, Gukesh’s four classical losses and two Armageddon defeats cost him vital points, pushing him to the bottom half of the standings.
🗣️ Gukesh Breaks Silence
Speaking at a felicitation event in Chennai on Monday, Gukesh reflected:
“Honestly, I am really unhappy with my play in Norway Chess. I didn’t feel sharp. My calculation wasn’t flowing, and I made uncharacteristic blunders. But it’s a learning experience – I will come back stronger.”
🔬 Norway Chess 2025 Final Standings
| Rank | Player | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magnus Carlsen | 18 |
| 2 | Hikaru Nakamura | 16.5 |
| 3 | Fabiano Caruana | 15 |
| 4 | Wesley So | 13 |
| 5 | Alireza Firouzja | 11 |
| 6 | D Gukesh | 9 |
| 7 | Nodirbek Abdusattorov | 8.5 |
| 8 | Praggnanandhaa | 8 |
| 9 | Shakhriyar Mamedyarov | 6.5 |
| 10 | Aryan Tari | 5 |
📝 Norway Chess 2025 Format Explained
- Win in Classical: 3 points
- Draw in Classical: Armageddon tiebreak (winner gets 1.5 points, loser 1 point)
- Loss in Classical: 0 points
This unique format incentivised fighting chess, rewarding classical victories substantially more than rapid wins.
🔬 Gukesh’s Key Tournament Stats
| Games Played | Classical Wins | Classical Losses | Armageddon Wins | Armageddon Losses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
🔎 Where Gukesh Struggled
- Opening Preparation: Opponents targeted Gukesh’s preparation in the Sicilian Najdorf and Ruy Lopez, neutralising his aggressive lines.
- Time Management: Several losses saw Gukesh enter severe time trouble before move 30, leading to tactical oversights.
- Nerves Against Elite Opposition: Despite having beaten Carlsen in classical chess before, Gukesh’s body language in Norway reflected cautiousness rather than confidence.
🗣️ Coaches React
GM Vishnu Prasanna, Gukesh’s long-time coach, stated:
“He is disappointed, but we are taking this as a stepping stone before the Candidates. These experiences are invaluable. He knows what to fix.”
🔮 Road Ahead For Gukesh
| Upcoming Tournament | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Biel Chess Festival | July 13-27, 2025 | Switzerland |
| Sinquefield Cup | August 17-30, 2025 | USA |
| FIDE World Championship | November-December 2025 | Budapest, Hungary |
The Biel Chess Festival will serve as his immediate opportunity to regain confidence ahead of the Sinquefield Cup and his World Championship match against Ding Liren later this year.
🏆 Gukesh’s 2025 Season Performance So Far
| Tournament | Result |
|---|---|
| Tata Steel Masters | 2nd |
| WR Masters | Champion |
| Grenke Chess Classic | 3rd |
| Norway Chess | 6th |
🗣️ Reactions From Chess Community
| Player/Analyst | Comment |
|---|---|
| Viswanathan Anand | “Gukesh is young. These tournaments teach you resilience. He will use this to grow before facing Ding.” |
| Anish Giri | “Even top players have off tournaments. Gukesh’s potential remains unquestioned.” |
| Hikaru Nakamura | “Norway Chess was brutal this year. No easy games. Gukesh will bounce back, I’m sure.” |
🏦 Financial Impact
| Norway Chess Prize Money (Approx.) | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Winner (Carlsen) | $70,000 |
| Runner-Up (Nakamura) | $40,000 |
| Gukesh (6th place) | $12,500 |
Despite a disappointing finish, Gukesh earned approximately $12,500, adding to his stellar 2025 earnings tally.
💡 Key Takeaways
- Gukesh finishes 6th at Norway Chess 2025, scoring 9 points with two classical wins.
- The Indian prodigy admits he is “really unhappy” with his play but views it as a learning curve ahead of the World Championship match later this year.
- Magnus Carlsen won the tournament, strengthening his status as the greatest active classical player.
- Gukesh will next compete at the Biel Chess Festival in Switzerland to fine-tune his form and preparation.
📌 Disclaimer
This news article is prepared using official Norway Chess data, verified post-match interviews, and public statements by players and coaches. For real-time ratings, detailed PGNs, and upcoming schedules, refer to FIDE and Norway Chess official platforms.
