Norway Chess 2025: Updated schedule, format, live streaming, & ticket details

Reigning Champion Magnus Carlsen headlines the event.

The Norway Chess 2025 is a tournament held annually in Norway. In this edition of the tournament, six players will participate in the Open section while six in the women’s section. The tournament holds major significance as it is one of the most prestigious chess tournaments in the world, first held in 2013.

Norway Chess 2025 offers a prize fund of 1,690,000 NOK (approx. $148,000 USD), with the winner earning 700,000 NOK (~$61,617). Prizes go down to 120,000 NOK (~$10,563) for sixth place, rewarding all participants in this elite tournament.

The world’s top players will participate in the tournament, including GMs Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, Arjun Erigaisi, Gukesh Dommaraju and Wei Yi. Hikaru Nakamura is a five-time US Chess Champion, the current FIDE World Fischer Random Champion, and the winner of Norway Chess 2023.

For Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh, this will be his second appearance in Norway Chess and first for Arjun Erigaisi. Gukesh defeated Ding Liren of China 7.5–6.5 and became the youngest world chess champion in history. While Arjun earned, his spot based on consistent performances in top tournaments.

Also Read: ⁠Which Indian players will compete at Norway Chess 2025?

When and where will Norway Chess 2025 be held?

Norway Chess 2025 will take place from May 26 to June 7 at Finansparken in Stavanger, Norway.

Who is the defending champion of Norway Chess?

Magnus Carlsen is the defending champion of Norway Chess, having secured the title in the 2024 edition with a commanding performance on home soil. While China’s Ju Wenjun, also the reigning World Champion, won the women’s section of the tournament.

Norway Chess 2025: Format

Norway Chess is known for its distinctive format that departs from traditional chess tournaments. Only six elite players participate in a double round-robin format, where each player faces every other player twice – once with white and once with black.

The tournament uses a unique scoring system:

• 3 points for a win in classical time control
• 1.5 points for a win in Armageddon (if classical ends in a draw)
• 1 point for a loss in Armageddon
• 0 points for a loss in classical

If the classical game ends in a draw, players proceed to an Armageddon decider. White gets 10 minutes, Black gets 7 minutes (with draw odds), and there is a 1-second increment from move 41.

Also Read: ‘Will be fun challenge’ – D Gukesh on facing World No 1 Magnus Carlsen at Norway Chess 2025

Where and how to watch Norway Chess 2025 live streaming and live telecast?

Norway Chess 2025 will be streamed live on the official tournament website and major platforms like Chess.com and Chess24. Commentary and live analysis will also be available on YouTube via ChessBase India and other chess channels.

Where to buy tickets for Norway Chess 2025?

Tickets for Norway Chess 2025 can be purchased through the official website of the event. Limited seats are available due to the intimate nature of the venue.

Norway Chess 2025: Full list of participating players

Open Section:

• Magnus Carlsen
• Fabiano Caruana
• Hikaru Nakamura
• Gukesh Dommaraju
• Arjun Erigaisi
• Wei Yi

Women’s Section:

• Ju Wenjun
• Lei Tingjie
• Koneru Humpy
• Anna Muzychuk
• Vaishali Rameshbabu
• Sara Khadem

Norway Chess 2025 full schedule and fixtures with timings (in IST)

• May 26, Monday – Round 1, 8:30 PM IST
• May 27, Tuesday – Round 2, 8:30 PM IST
• May 28, Wednesday – Round 3, 8:30 PM IST
• May 29, Thursday – Round 4, 8:30 PM IST
• May 30, Friday – Rest Day
• May 31, Saturday – Round 5, 8:30 PM IST
• June 1, Sunday – Round 6, 8:30 PM IST
• June 2, Monday – Round 7, 8:30 PM IST
• June 3, Tuesday – Round 8, 8:30 PM IST
• June 4, Wednesday – Rest day
• June 5, Thursday – Round 9, 8:30 PM IST
• June 6, Friday – Round 10, 8:30 PM IST
• June 7, Saturday – Closing Ceremony

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