Norway Chess: Carlsen Draws with Erigaisi to Clinch Seventh Title, Gukesh Finishes Third

Magnus Carlsen was down to his dying seconds. The position was still complex, and he hadn't spotted a clear path to convert his advantage.

- HT Correspondent

BENGALURU: Magnus Carlsen was down to his dying seconds. The position was still complex, and he hadn't spotted a clear path to convert his advantage. With the clock ticking down, he had a pertinent decision to make. He had already been undone in time scrambles (read: Round 6 loss to D Gukesh) in the tournament.

The world No. 1 craned his neck to glance at the screen overhead—it showed live positions of the other games. The only player who could spoil his title hopes—reigning world champion Gukesh, who trailed him by half a point—was in hot water against four-time US champion Fabiano Caruana. Carlsen knew right away that settling for a draw against India's Arjun Erigaisi was the pragmatic call. It was enough to assure him the Norway Chess title in Stavanger for the seventh time.