Diplomacy and wisdom do not stop. He number one He gets close to a half -point, at a round of the end in the Norway Chess tournament, which six chess stars play in Stavanger (Norway). But that has not prevented him from predicting that the Indian will lose the throne in 2026. The Spanish Sara Khadem, sick since the first day, won with great quality to India Rameshbabu Vaishali in the Women’s Tournament, led by Ukraine Anna Muzychuk, resident in Valencia.
It happened unexpectedly and unnecessary. Happy after bending the 3rd of the world and leader before the penultimate round, the American Fabiano Caruana, on the set of the live broadcast of the Chess.com platform (which says he has more than 130 million users), of which he is an important shareholder. They passed a question from an online spectator: “Do you consider the possibility of winning the 2026 candidate tournament and challenging Gukesh?” And the Norwegian responded in an indirect way: “I think that if Nakamura, Caruana or Nomnomniashi won the candidates, they would be favorites against Gukesh.”
The triumph over Caruana, after more than four hours of struggle, was the nth repetition of the same story: position with a minimum advantage that should end in tables against a good defense; But, instead of insisting on the same defensive scheme that his rival had failed to break, the American was looked at the pressure of the clock and the number oneand Yerra. From there, as almost always, the Scandinavian was implacable.
Very different about the Chinese Yi Wei, in low hours, now twelfth of the world. Once again, the recently completed 19 -year -old champion made a fairly clear strategic error. But his adversary was tangled up shortly after in the field where Gukesh is a monster: tactics and calculation; The Indian then hilvanó a long and brilliant combination that led to an overwhelming advantage.
The pressure on Carlsen in the last round could have been even greater if Hikaru Nakamura would have taken advantage of his clearly advantageous position on the other Indian, Arjun Eyrigaisi, 5th of the world. But the American did not refine at the key moment and allowed his opponent to get rid of. He then explained that his priority right now is to qualify for the candidate tournament, and that is why he did not risk.
Since in the Norway Chess victory in the slow game is rewarded with three points (1.5 in the sudden death, And one for the loser), Nakamura and Caruana could still take the first prize if they give the necessary carambolas. But logic indicates that only the immature world champion can bitter the joy of number one and Norwegian national hero.
In the Women’s Tournament, Anna Muzychuk has taken a giant step with an impeccable victory and very worked on the world champion, the Chinese Wenjun Ju, while India Humpy Koneru made a garrafal mistake in a very advantageous position over the other China, Tingjie Lei. The triumph of Khadem was also spectacular, who at the beginning of the round told this newspaper that “finally” was well, after taking four daily antibiotics since the first day.
Octave Round ResultsAbout – Erigai, boards, blankcas, wins; Gukesh – Yes, 3-0; Carlsen – Caruna, 3-0. Tomorated: Vashali – Khadeem; Wenjun Ju – Anna Muzychuk, 0-3; Tangjie Lei – Consider, 3-0.
Classifications: 1º Carlsen 15; 2º Gukesh 14.5; 3º Nakamura 13; 4º Caruana 12.5 puntos; 5º Erigaisi 11.5; 6º Yi Wei 8. Torneo femenino: 1ª Anna Muzychuk 15.5; 2a Koneru 13.5; 3a Tingjie It was 13; 4a Wenjun Ju 12.5; 5 o Viishali 9.5; 6º Khadem 9.
Tenth (last) round (Friday17.00, retilled resimidation ): Erigain – Carlsen; Caruana – Gukesh; Yes – Nakamura. It’ Consequent – Weenjun Ju; Muzychuk – Vashali.
