King Magnus Roars Again: Leads Norway Chess After Dramatic Round 4

Magnus Carlsen has stormed back to the top at Norway Chess 2025, delivering a vintage performance in Round 4 to seize the sole lead in Stavanger. After two tense days marked by missed opportunities and Armageddon heartbreaks, Carlsen found his rhythm, dispatching India’s Arjun Erigaisi in a clinical classical victory.

 

Carlsen Back on Top:

Carlsen’s win over Arjun Erigaisi was a masterclass in endgame pressure. The Norwegian capitalized on a critical error by Arjun in the major piece endgame, converting his advantage with trademark precision to bag the full three points.

 

Strategic Brilliance:

Playing the English Opening, Carlsen gradually outmaneuvered his young opponent. He later revealed he was “burning time” in a complex middlegame, but once the position clarified, he pounced on Arjun’s indecision to secure victory.

 

Tournament Standings:

This victory puts Carlsen ahead of the pack after four rounds, with Fabiano Caruana missing a chance to overtake him following a dramatic Armageddon loss to D Gukesh.

 

Gukesh’s Birthday Bash:

World Champion D Gukesh celebrated his 19th birthday in style, holding Caruana to a draw in classical play before winning the Armageddon tiebreak, climbing to joint fourth in the standings.

 

Women’s Section Update:

Koneru Humpy and Anna Muzychuk remain joint leaders despite Armageddon setbacks, while Sara Khadem scored her first classical win of the tournament.

 

With Carlsen’s confidence restored and the tournament heating up, all eyes are on Round 5 as the world’s best battle for supremacy in Stavanger.

 

Sources: Chess.com, Firstpost, ChessBase India