Carlsen Makes a Comeback with Victory Over Gukesh in Norway Chess Round 4
Carlsen Bounces Back with a Stunning Victory at Norway Chess
Stavanger, Norway – In a thrilling display of skill and resilience, Magnus Carlsen secured his first classical win of the 2023 Norway Chess tournament, defeating reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju with the black pieces in round four. This victory not only marked a significant turnaround for the seven-time Norway Chess champion but also maintained the tournament’s trend of one decisive classical game per round, as the other two matches were decided in Armageddon.
Carlsen’s triumph comes after a rocky start to the tournament, where he faced defeats against Alireza Firouzja and Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu in the first and third rounds, respectively. However, against Gukesh, Carlsen showcased his trademark strategic prowess, earning a full three points and climbing to fourth place in the standings.
The marquee matchup between Carlsen and Gukesh was particularly noteworthy, as it echoed their previous encounter in last year’s Norway Chess, where a late blunder by Carlsen allowed Gukesh to claim victory. This time, however, the tables turned. Gukesh opted for an ambitious opening, but Carlsen gradually seized control of the board, leveraging the activity of his kingside rook to outmaneuver the reigning champion and convert his advantage into a decisive win.
In other matches, Wesley So handed Firouzja his first loss of the tournament, winning their rapid-play decider after a drawn classical game. Despite the setback, Firouzja retained a clear lead in the standings. Meanwhile, Praggnanandhaa triumphed over Vincent Keymer in Armageddon, solidifying his position in second place and narrowing Firouzja’s lead to 2½ points as the tournament heads into its first rest day.
Round 4 Results:
- Gukesh Dommaraju 0 – 3 Magnus Carlsen
- Wesley So 1½ – 1 Alireza Firouzja
- Vincent Keymer 1 – 1½ Praggnanandhaa R.
Standings After Round 4:
- Alireza Firouzja (France) – 8½ points
- Praggnanandhaa R. (India) – 6 points
- Wesley So (USA) – 5½ points
- Magnus Carlsen (Norway) – 4½ points
- Vincent Keymer (Germany) – 4 points
- Gukesh Dommaraju (India) – 3½ points
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Carlsen to see if he can maintain this momentum and challenge for the top spots. With the first rest day approaching, players will have a chance to regroup and strategize for the upcoming rounds. The excitement continues to build in Stavanger as the world’s best chess minds battle it out for supremacy.