Carlsen Avenge ‘Table Slam’ Loss, Defeats Gukesh in Norway Chess Showdown

Carlsen Triumphs Over Gukesh in Norway Chess Showdown, Averts Birthday Blues

Oslo, Norway – In a thrilling encounter during the fourth round of the Norway Chess tournament, reigning world champion D Gukesh faced off against world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, who emerged victorious after 42 intense moves. This win not only marked Carlsen’s first Classical victory of the tournament but also served as sweet revenge for his previous loss to Gukesh at the same event last year, a match that famously ended with Carlsen’s dramatic ‘table slam.’

The stakes were high as Carlsen, who is set to celebrate his 20th birthday on the first of the tournament’s two rest days, sought to turn around a shaky start to his title defense. After drawing and losing his first three games, the pressure was on for the Norwegian chess prodigy.

The match began with a Queen’s Gambit Opening, where Carlsen gradually gained the upper hand. Gukesh, playing as white, struggled under time pressure, with less than a minute left on his clock compared to Carlsen’s eight minutes. Ultimately, Gukesh succumbed to the mounting tension and resigned, marking his first Classical defeat of the tournament.

Carlsen’s victory not only boosts his standings but also elevates him to fourth place with 4.5 points, while Gukesh drops to the bottom with 3.5 points. Current tournament leader Alireza Firouzja faced his own setback, suffering his first defeat after running out of time in an Armageddon match against Wesley So, yet he remains atop the leaderboard with 8.5 points.

In the women’s section, all three Classical games ended in draws for the third consecutive round, with Indian Grandmasters Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh both falling short in their Armageddon matches.

As the tournament progresses, the chess world eagerly anticipates how these fierce competitors will adapt and respond in the coming rounds. With Carlsen’s resurgence and Gukesh’s determination to bounce back, the Norway Chess tournament continues to deliver high-stakes drama and unforgettable moments.