MAGNUS CARLSEN HAD TO FIGHT 'DOUBTS' TO BEAT GUKESH 'WHO WAS UP FOR A FIGHT' AT NORWAY CHESS

It wasn’t a straightforward victory for Magnus Carlsen over D Gukesh at Norway Chess on Thursday. The former world champion had to overcome mental battles to conquer the reigning king.

D Gukesh discussed his mistakes with Magnus Carlsen after losing the match. Image: Norway Chess

Magnus Carlsen had to fight doubts before beating world champion D Gukesh in their latest encounter at the Norway Chess 2026 on Thursday as the world No 1 secured his first Classical victory on the ongoing tournament. So far in the last three rounds, Carlsen had suffered two defeats and secured one win via Armageddon.

But five-time world champion Carlsen turned the tables against Gukesh on the eve of the Indian Grandmaster’s 20th birthday, winning in 42 moves. Gukesh remained solid in the match during the opening and middlegame with the White pieces, but lost the initiative in the endgame under time pressure.

Gukesh was eventually forced to resign as Carlsen picked up a crucial win after tough three rounds.

Carlsen relieved after beating Gukesh

In the post-game interview with Take Take Take, Carlsen said that his recent Classical defeats to Alireza Firouzja and R Praggnanandhaa of India had shaken his confidence, and that the victory over world champion Gukesh had come as a big relief.

“It was a huge relief,” Carlsen said. “After missing a few chances, you get a little bit of doubt, like what it’s going to take for me to get back. Feels really good to get that monkey off the back.

“He was up for a fight today, but so was I.”

There’s no doubt the victory has come as a big relief for Carlsen, even if he remains the top-ranked chess Grandmaster. Amid his recent poor form, his critics have been constantly questioning him holding onto the world No 1 ranking despite playing only a few tournaments.

Hand Niemann, who in 2022 was accused of cheating by Carlsen, has said that FIDE needs to change its ranking methodology to reward the players who are more active on the circuit.

A few other critics have started to signal that it’s the start of the end for Carlsen, but the truth is the Norwegian remains the most consistent player across formats.

- FP Sports Desk

MAGNUS VS. ALIREZA | FINAL GAME | WORLD SPEED CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP 2026

 

SPEED CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP: CARLSEN, NAKA, FIROUZJA AND LAZAVIK IN SEMIS

The quarterfinals of the 2025 Speed Chess Championship have concluded, producing two compelling semifinal pairings for the live stage in London this February. Magnus Carlsen will face Denis Lazavik, while Hikaru Nakamura is set to meet Alireza Firouzja in a clash of leading speed-play specialists. The event, organised by chess.com, continues to combine online matchplay with an on-site finale, bringing rapid-fire chess to a live audience on 7–8 February 2026.

All set for the London finals in February

The 2025 Speed Chess Championship reached its decisive stage as the quarterfinals concluded, setting up two high-profile semifinal encounters: Magnus Carlsen will meet Denis Lazavik, while Hikaru Nakamura is set to face Alireza Firouzja. These four players will participate in the live finals in London, scheduled for 7–8 February 2026, when the semifinals, consolation match and final will be played before an on-site audience.

The event follows its established format: following a series of qualifying events, a 16-player single-elimination bracket is organised by , with each match divided into three timed phases - 5+1, 3+1 and 1+1 - played consecutively. Should any match finish level, a series of extra 1+1 games is held, followed, if necessary, by a bidding Armageddon decider.

Carlsen defeats Caruana

Magnus Carlsen advanced after registering a 14½–7½ victory over Fabiano Caruana. Although the Norwegian began as the clear favourite, the match remained competitive well into the 3+1 portion. Amid the second section, Caruana trailed by only a single point at 6½–5½, taking advantage of an uncharacteristically uneven spell from Carlsen.

The balance shifted abruptly thereafter. Carlsen produced a sustained run of eight consecutive wins, effectively removing any doubt regarding the final outcome. His set scores reflected this late surge:

5+1: Carlsen 4½–2½ Caruana

3+1: Carlsen 4–3 Caruana

1+1: Carlsen 6–2 Caruana

Nakamura edges So

Hikaru Nakamura secured his place in London following a narrow win against Wesley So by an 11-10 score. The match was notable for its momentum swings: Nakamura twice built substantial leads, only for So to reply each time with three-game streaks. Rarely does Nakamura lose a bullet segment, but So managed exactly that, winning the 1+1 phase 4–3.

The American top seed nonetheless prevailed by taking a crucial penultimate game and defending a difficult position in the final encounter. The segment results were:

5+1: Nakamura 4½–2½ So

3+1: Nakamura 3½–3½ So

1+1: Nakamura 3–4 So

Firouzja overpowers Nepomniachtchi

Alireza Firouzja delivered one of the most one-sided results of the round, defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi 19–9. Firouzja's consistency across all three segments left his opponent with few opportunities to narrow the gap. He maintained a clear initiative throughout, winning each phase by a wide margin:

5+1: Firouzja 5½–3½ Nepomniachtchi

3+1: Firouzja 6½–3½ Nepomniachtchi

1+1: Firouzja 7–2 Nepomniachtchi

The result gives Firouzja a strong platform heading into his meeting with Nakamura.

Lazavik stops Niemann

Denis Lazavik completed the semifinal lineup with a 15½–9½ win over Hans Niemann. The Belarusian grandmaster maintained control for most of the match, ultimately scoring eleven wins to Niemann's five. His performance across the three phases was steady and convincing, and he now progresses to face Carlsen in London:

5+1: Niemann 2½–5½ Lazavik

3+1: Niemann 3½–4½ Lazavik

1+1: Niemann 3½–5½ Lazavik

- Carlos Alberto Colodro