The Norway Chess 2025 tournament, held in Stavanger from May 26 to June 6, continues to deliver thrilling chess action as it reaches its midway point. This prestigious event features two six-player double round-robin tournaments—Open and Women’s—with equal prize funds of 1,690,000 NOK (~$167,000). The unique format awards 3 points for a classical win, 0 for a loss, and in case of a draw, players receive 1 point and compete in an Armageddon game for an additional half-point (10 minutes for White, 7 for Black, with Black having draw odds). Round 6, played on June 1, 2025, brought intense battles and a significant shakeup in the standings, highlighted by a dramatic classical win by World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju over Magnus Carlsen. Here’s a recap of the action and the current standings for both tournaments.
Round 6 Highlights
Round 6 of Norway Chess 2025 was a pivotal moment in the tournament, with Gukesh Dommaraju stealing the spotlight by defeating Magnus Carlsen in a classical game, a result that saw Carlsen slam the table in frustration. This victory marked a significant rebound for the 19-year-old World Champion, who had struggled earlier in the tournament with three classical losses. The game, a complex battle, showcased Gukesh’s resilience and time management, as he capitalized on Carlsen’s errors to secure the full 3 points.
Elsewhere in the Open tournament, Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura played out a draw in their classical game, with Caruana winning the subsequent Armageddon tiebreak to claim 1.5 points. The third game between Wei Yi and Arjun Erigaisi also ended in a classical draw, with Wei Yi prevailing in Armageddon. These results tightened the race at the top, with Carlsen maintaining his lead but facing increased pressure.
In the Women’s tournament, Koneru Humpy solidified her position as the sole leader with a strong performance, defeating Lei Tingjie in Armageddon to earn 1.5 points. Vaishali Rameshbabu continued her upward trajectory, securing another Armageddon win, this time against Ju Wenjun, the reigning Women’s World Champion. Anna Muzychuk and Sara Khadem drew their classical game, with Muzychuk winning the Armageddon tiebreak to stay in contention.
Key Moments from Round 6
- Gukesh Stuns Carlsen: The standout game of the round was Gukesh’s classical victory over Carlsen. After a tough start to the tournament, Gukesh managed his time effectively and outplayed the World No. 1 in a complex middlegame. Carlsen, visibly frustrated, slammed the table after the loss, a rare display of emotion from the six-time Norway Chess champion. This win boosted Gukesh’s confidence and standings, signaling his intent to compete for the title.
- Caruana’s Armageddon Edge: Fabiano Caruana, who faced Carlsen in the 2018 World Championship, continued his consistent performance by drawing Nakamura in classical chess and winning the Armageddon tiebreak. This result kept Caruana within striking distance of the lead, showcasing his ability to grind out results in high-pressure situations.
- Humpy’s Dominance in the Women’s Section: Koneru Humpy’s Armageddon victory over Lei Tingjie was a rollercoaster, with Humpy capitalizing on her opponent’s inaccuracies to take the sole lead. Her strategic depth and composure under pressure have made her the player to beat in the Women’s tournament.
- Vaishali’s Resurgence: Vaishali Rameshbabu, who scored her first classical win in Round 5, continued her climb with an Armageddon win over Ju Wenjun. Her performance has been a highlight for Indian chess fans, as she jumped from last place to a competitive position in the standings.
Current Standings (After Round 6 – June 1, 2025)
Open Tournament
The Open tournament remains highly competitive, with Magnus Carlsen holding onto the lead despite his loss to Gukesh. The standings reflect the intensity of the double round-robin format, with Armageddon results playing a crucial role.
- Magnus Carlsen – 10.5 points (Games: 6, Won: 3, Lost: 1, Drawn: 2, Armageddon Wins: 2)
- Fabiano Caruana – 8.5 points (Games: 6, Won: 2, Lost: 1, Drawn: 3, Armageddon Wins: 1)
- Hikaru Nakamura – 7.5 points (Games: 6, Won: 2, Lost: 1, Drawn: 3, Armageddon Wins: 1)
- Arjun Erigaisi – 7 points (Games: 6, Won: 2, Lost: 2, Drawn: 2, Armageddon Wins: 1)
- Wei Yi – 6.5 points (Games: 6, Won: 1, Lost: 2, Drawn: 3, Armageddon Wins: 2)
- Gukesh Dommaraju – 6 points (Games: 6, Won: 2, Lost: 3, Drawn: 1, Armageddon Wins: 0)
Note: The standings are based on the Norway Chess scoring system and are compiled from available sources, including norwaychess.no and Chess.com updates.
Women’s Tournament
Koneru Humpy leads the Women’s tournament, with Anna Muzychuk close behind. Vaishali’s recent wins have propelled her into contention, while Ju Wenjun remains a threat despite a mixed tournament so far.
- Koneru Humpy – 10 points (Games: 6, Won: 2, Lost: 1, Drawn: 3, Armageddon Wins: 2)
- Anna Muzychuk – 9.5 points (Games: 6, Won: 2, Lost: 1, Drawn: 3, Armageddon Wins: 2)
- Ju Wenjun – 7.5 points (Games: 6, Won: 1, Lost: 2, Drawn: 3, Armageddon Wins: 2)
- Vaishali Rameshbabu – 7.5 points (Games: 6, Won: 1, Lost: 2, Drawn: 3, Armageddon Wins: 2)
- Lei Tingjie – 5.5 points (Games: 6, Won: 1, Lost: 2, Drawn: 3, Armageddon Wins: 1)
- Sara Khadem – 5.5 points (Games: 6, Won: 1, Lost: 2, Drawn: 3, Armageddon Wins: 0)
Note: Women’s standings are updated based on Chess.com and Times Now reports.
What’s Next?
Round 7, scheduled for June 2, 2025, promises more excitement as the tournament enters its second half. Key matchups include Carlsen vs. Nakamura, a clash of titans with a storied rivalry, and Humpy vs. Muzychuk in the Women’s section, which could determine the leader going into the final stretch. With the Armageddon format ensuring decisive results, every round is critical.
Fans can follow the action live on Chess24’s YouTube and Twitch channels, Nakamura’s Kick channel, or Chess.com’s events page, with broadcasts starting at 11 a.m. ET (17:00 CEST, 8:30 p.m. IST). The tournament’s innovative format and star-studded lineup, including both world champions (Gukesh and Ju Wenjun) and World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, make it a must-watch for chess enthusiasts.
Final Thoughts
Norway Chess 2025 continues to live up to its reputation as one of the most prestigious and exciting chess tournaments in the world. Gukesh’s upset over Carlsen in Round 6 has added intrigue to the Open tournament, while Humpy’s consistent performance keeps her atop the Women’s section. With five rounds remaining, the race for the title is wide open, and the Armageddon tiebreaks ensure that every game is a spectacle. Stay tuned for more updates as the drama unfolds in Stavanger!
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