World Champion vs. Ex-World Champion: The Turning Point of Carlsen-Gukesh, Norway Chess R1

Norway Chess 2025 is underway, and while there are plenty of marquee matchups to come in the double round robin, world #1 Magnus Carlsen taking on World Champion Gukesh D tops the list.

In the position below, the players have both just promoted on h1 and f8. It had been very level all the way up to this point, where Gukesh chose the unfortunate 46. …Qh6+?? as his clock approached zero.

The only drawing move was 46. …Rg2+! and Black will be able to keep checking the white king. These are ruthlessly tricky endgames, both when deciding where to check and where to step with the king to avoid checks. A handful of checks later, they reached the following position.

Gukesh took on c3, because after 51. …Qc2+ 52. Kb4 Qb2+ 53. Kc4, there are no more checks! But 51. …Qxc3 meant it was Magnus’s turn to start checking, and the black king was forced into the open. 52. Qh8+ Kg6 53. Ra6+ Kf5 54. Qf8+ Ke4 55. Re6+ (D) and White wins.

With no shelter, Black is about to be mated, or lose serious material and then be mated. 55. …Kd3 56. Qf3+ is mate in 11, or eg. 55. …Kd5 56. Qf5+ Kc4 57. Qb5+! Kxd4 58. Qd7+ Kc4 59. Rc6# is lovely geometry.

You can find the full game on Lichess.

Photo via Michal Walusza / Norway Chess