Norway Chess 2025 R5: Hikaru Nakamura fumbles in Armageddon against Arjun Erigaisi
Arjun Erigaisi defeated Hikaru Nakamura (USA) in Armageddon at 13th Norway Chess 2025. Nakamura was winning for the better part of the game. However, in a winning position, instead of finding the correct continuation, he blundered terribly and lost the game. Wei Yi (CHN) and D Gukesh drew their Classical game which could have gone either player's way. Wei won the must-win Armageddon with white pieces to win the match. Magnus Carlsen (NOR) won his first Armageddon of the event against Fabiano Caruana (USA) after their Classical game ended in a draw. With this win, Carlsen extended his sole lead by 1.5 points, 9.5/15. Round 6 starts today from 5 p.m. local time, 8:30 p.m. IST. Apart from youtube, there is also a live broadcast on Sony Liv. Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza
Carlsen increases his sole lead
For the first time at this event, all three matches were decided by Armageddon. The Armageddon had all decisive results. Magnus Carlsen is at 9.5/15, followed by Fabiano Caruana 8/15, Hikaru Nakamura 6.5/15, Arjun Erigaisi 6/15, D Gukesh and Wei Yi 5.5/15 each.
Arjun - Nakamura: 1.5-1
The sole Classical rated game between Arjun Erigaisi (2782) and Hikaru Nakamura (USA, 2804) ended in a draw at FIDE Grand Swiss 2023. In their second ever Classical battle, Arjun got white pieces again. He gave up castling rights on the kingside and opted for long castling. Pieces got exchanged at a regular interval and the position got liquidated into a same color bishop endgame.
Armageddon
Nakamura was winning the better part of Armageddon. In the above position, he needed to go 41...Rxg2+! 42.Kxg2 Qg4+ followed by Qxc8 would have been a comfortable win for him. Instead, he blundered 41...Rf6?? 42.Qg8+ Kg6 43.g3 Qg4 44.Rc7 Kh5 45.Rxg7 Rg6 46.Qf7 Bc4 47.Rxg6 Qxg6 48.g4+ and it's over.
Wei - Gukesh: 1.5-1
The World Champion, D Gukesh (2787) has never lost a Classical rated game against Wei Yi (CHN, 2758). Gukesh won two and drew the remaining two. Their fifth Classical game was a slightly sloppy one where both sides missed their fair share of winning chances.
Black needed to play 26...e5 first before going d4. 26...d4? 27.Rd3 Rd7 28.b6 Bb8 29.Qd2? instead 29.b7 would have given White a decisive advantage. 29.Qd2? allowed e5 and Black got back in the game.
Find out the win which Gukesh missed in the above position after 46.Rf8?? He played 46...Bg3+ 47.Ke2 Bxg2 and the game ended in a draw.
Wei opted for the Exchange variation in Caro-Kann again in Armageddon. He was the first to deviate when he played 9.Ng5. Gukesh lost a pawn down rook and opposite color bishop endgame.
Caruana - Carlsen: 1-1.5
Fabiano Caruana (USA, 2776) and Magnus Carlsen (NOR, 2837) have faced each other plenty of times. However, their Classical battle was at the very same event last year. This time their first Classical game was a well contested draw.
Fabiano Caruana dropped a pawn and traded queens while he was behind by two pawns. Magnus Carlsen had no trouble converting his advantage into a win.
Replay live stream
Round 5 results
Standings after Round 5
Round 6 pairings
Arjun Erigaisi - Wei Yi
Hikaru Nakamura - Fabiano Caruana
D Gukesh - Magnus Carlsen
Format
6 players will take part in the Tournament.
The Tournament is a double-round event with Armageddon.
The Tournament consists of 10 rounds.
Berger tables will be used for the pairings.
Time Control
Each player will have 120 minutes on the clock with an increment of 10 seconds starting from move 41. The time control for the Armageddon game: white has 10 minutes and black has 7 minutes with an increment for both players of 1 second per move, starting from move 41.
Draw by Mutual Agreement
Players are not allowed to agree to a draw until at least 30 moves have been made by each player. This rule does not apply to Armageddon games.
Armageddon
If the classical game is drawn, an Armageddon game will be played. It shall start within 20 minutes of the conclusion of the classical game. The player with White pieces will continue with White in Armageddon. If the Armageddon game is drawn, black will win.
Points
Players will get the following points per round:
Win in the classical game: 3 points
Loss in the classical game: 0 points
Draw in the classical game & win Armageddon: 1½ points
Draw in the classical game & loss Armageddon: 1 point
Schedule
From 26th May to 6th June, every day game starts at 5 p.m. local time and 8:30 p.m. IST. Rest days are on Friday 30th May and Wednesday 4th June.
Prize money
Prize Money The total prize fund of the Tournament is 1690000 NOK. Distribution of Prize money occurs as followed:
1st - NOK 700000
2nd - NOK 350000
3rd - NOK 200000
4th - NOK 170000
5th - NOK 150000
6th - NOK 120000
Watch the tournaments live at the venue:
Venue: Finansparken. For ticket info, visit here.
Ticket prices per day:
Adults: 200 NOK
Children and youth (under 18): 100 NOK
Family: 400 NOK
Links
Norway Chess: Official site, facebook, twitter, instagram, youtube, linkedin
