Reigning world chess champion D Gukesh has confirmed his participation in the Norway Chess 2026 tournament in Oslo, where he will clash with Magnus Carlsen. The event, running from May 25 to June 5, marks Gukesh's return following his dramatic first classical win over Carlsen in 2025. Gukesh, the youngest undisputed world champion at 18, expressed excitement about competing against a strong field.
D Gukesh Dommaraju, the Indian chess prodigy and youngest undisputed world champion in history, will compete at Norway Chess 2026 in Oslo, Norway. The tournament is scheduled from May 25 to June 5 and features some of the world's top players, including former champion Magnus Carlsen. This will be Gukesh's second appearance after finishing third in the 2025 edition, where he secured his first classical victory over Carlsen in a tense game that ended with the Norwegian slamming the table in frustration—a moment that went viral.
Gukesh won the world title in 2024 by defeating Ding Liren after triumphing in the Candidates Tournament, all at the age of 18. His rapid ascent includes becoming the youngest player to surpass the 2750 Elo rating and earning the grandmaster title at 12, making him the third-youngest ever. He has also shone for India at the Chess Olympiad, claiming individual gold on board one in 2022 and both team and individual gold in 2024.
Despite a challenging 2025 season following his title win, Gukesh remains eager. "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," he said.
Benedicte Westre Skog, COO of Norway Chess, welcomed the news: "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."
Carlsen, known for selective participation in recent years, continues to showcase his enduring brilliance on the board. Norway Chess has hosted 18 of the highest-rated players in history, underscoring its prestige.
