Magnus Carlsen has once again made his mark in chess history by securing his record-extending seventh Norway Chess title in Stavanger on June 6, 2025. With a total of 16 points, he narrowly edged out Fabiano Caruana, who finished with 15.5 points, and reigning world champion D. Gukesh Dommaraju, who ended up with 14.5 points. The pivotal moment came in the final round when Gukesh lost to Caruana, which sealed Carlsen’s victory, even though he drew his last game against India’s Arjun Erigaisi.

Carlsen's path to victory was anything but easy. In round six, he faced a tough loss to Gukesh, famously slamming his fist on the table in frustration during a time-pressure blunder. However, he rallied back to secure a draw against Erigaisi in the final classical game, gathering enough points to maintain his lead despite Caruana's relentless pursuit. This blend of emotional highs and tactical determination highlighted both Carlsen’s vulnerabilities and his champion's spirit when the pressure was on.

This win further cements Carlsen’s dominance in classical formats and adds yet another chapter to his storied career. However, he’s been open about his diminishing enthusiasm for traditional time controls, hinting that Stavanger might be one of his last classical appearances. He expressed a preference for more dynamic formats like Freestyle and Rapid chess. Earlier this year, he also triumphed at the Grenke Freestyle Open in Germany with a flawless 9/9 score, showcasing his shift towards more creative and engaging formats.

Carlsen’s victory resonated well beyond the tournament hall. He took a moment to commend the rising Indian stars like Gukesh and Erigaisi, declaring that the “future of Indian chess is very bright”. His candidness about emotional setbacks—like that table slam—and his strategic resilience added a relatable depth to his character. As the chess community now looks ahead to upcoming events like the World Rapid & Blitz Championship, Carlsen’s journey continues to inspire.