Reigning world champion Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh has confirmed his participation in the prestigious Norway Chess tournament, scheduled to be held from May 25 to June 5. The elite classical-format event will feature a star-studded lineup, including world number one and defending champion Magnus Carlsen, making it one of the strongest tournaments on the global chess calendar.
The 2026 edition of Norway Chess will mark a significant shift as the tournament moves from its traditional venue in Stavanger to Oslo. Gukesh, who finished third in the Open section last year, will arrive in Norway as the youngest undisputed world champion in chess history, having secured the title at just 18 years of age.
Gukesh’s meteoric rise has been defined by a series of historic achievements, including winning the 2024 Candidates Tournament and defeating Ding Liren to claim the world crown. He has also set records as the youngest player to cross the 2750 Elo rating mark and became a Grandmaster at the age of 12, ranking among the youngest in chess history.
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Norway Chess has already played a pivotal role in Gukesh’s career. During the 2025 edition, he claimed his first classical victory over Carlsen in a dramatic encounter that produced the widely discussed “table-slam” moment, cementing his status as a serious challenger on the elite circuit.
Tournament organisers welcomed Gukesh’s return, highlighting India’s growing dominance in world chess. COO Benedicte Westre Skog said the presence of the reigning world champion adds immense value, noting that Indian audiences are expected to follow the event closely as Gukesh competes on home turf for Carlsen.
In addition to Gukesh and Carlsen, Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa has also confirmed his participation. In the women’s section, World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh will make her Norway Chess debut, becoming the youngest player to feature since the women’s tournament was launched in 2024. Notably, no Indian has won the prestigious Norway Chess title so far, adding extra intrigue to the upcoming edition.
Also Read: Magnus Carlsen Set to Play Norway Chess 2026 in New Oslo Venue