D Gukesh joins Magnus Carlsen, R Praggnanandhaa and Vincent Keymer in a strong playing field for the 2026 Norway Chess tournament that will take place in May.
Reigning world champion D Gukesh is set to take part in the upcoming edition of Norway Chess where he was unveiled as the fourth participant by the organisers of the event on Tuesday.
It was at the 2025 edition of the same tournament where Gukesh defeated the world number one Magnus Carlsen for the first time in classical format. The loss brought out a furious reaction from
Carlsen who slammed his fist on the table after defeat. The moment went viral on social media and became part of several memes and comedy sketches worldwide.
Gukesh set to face Carlsen again
Norway Chess 2026 will take place from May 25 to 5 June at Deichman Bjørvika in Oslo. event has been shifted from Stavanger to Oslo for this edition.
This is one of the rare classical events where Carlsen takes part as it belongs to his home country. Gukesh has now been revealed as the fourth participant after Carlsen, India’s R Praggnanandhaa and Germany’s Vincent Keymer. Two more people will join the field.
“I am really happy to take part in Norway Chess again, fighting against a very strong field as always, and looking forward to all the exciting games,” Gukesh D was quoted as saying in a statement by Norway Chess organisers.
“Having Gukesh D return to Norway Chess as reigning World Champion is something we truly value. India has become one of the strongest chess nations in the world today, and we know many fans will be following Gukesh D closely. We hope chess audiences across India will tune in as he competes in Oslo in 2026,” Benedicte Westre Skog, COO of Norway Chess, said in a statement.
Despite the loss to Gukesh, Carlsen emerged as the champion of the event last edition and will once again start as favourite despite him rarely playing the classical format nowadays.
The tournament will help Gukesh build on his classical game as he looks to defend his world title later this year. Praggnanandhaa will soon be competing at the Candidates, whose winner will get to challenge Gukesh for his title.
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