How Did Magnus Carlsen Extend His Lead After Round 5 of Norway Chess 2025?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Magnus Carlsen continues to lead the tournament after Round 5.
- All classical games ended in draws, leading to Armageddon matches.
- Vaishali Rameshbabu achieved her first classical victory.
- Intense competition characterized both the men’s and women’s tournaments.
- The tournament format is a unique 6-player double round-robin.
Stavanger (Norway), June 1 (NationPress) – Round 5 of Norway Chess 2025 showcased thrilling competition across all boards. Although all three classical games concluded in draws, the excitement remained palpable as each match transitioned to Armageddon.
The battles between Arjun Erigaisi and Hikaru Nakamura, Wei Yi and World Champion Dommaraju Gukesh, as well as Fabiano Caruana and Magnus Carlsen, ended in closely contested draws.
Arjun Erigaisi, Wei Yi, and Magnus Carlsen emerged victorious in their Armageddon clashes, each securing essential extra points.
With his Armageddon triumph, Magnus Carlsen maintains his lead in the standings, further solidifying his dominant position in this year's tournament. Tomorrow's Round 6 promises a much-anticipated rematch between World Champion Dommaraju Gukesh and World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen.
In the Norway Chess Women’s tournament, excitement continued with a decisive victory for Vaishali Rameshbabu over Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, marking her first classical win in this edition of Norway Chess.
The remaining matches between Anna Muzychuk and World Champion Wenjun Ju, and Humpy Koneru versus Lei Tingjie, were also decided in Armageddon, highlighting the fierce competition in the women's division where every point matters.
Wenjun Ju and Humpy Koneru triumphed in their respective Armageddon games, gathering vital additional points.
Earlier, Carlsen demonstrated his prowess with a skillful endgame victory against Indian No. 2 Arjun Erigaisi. The Norwegian chess legend, who had faced two Armageddon defeats in prior rounds, made a powerful statement with this win on his home soil.
In the encounter between World Champion Dommaraju Gukesh and World No. 3 Fabiano Caruana, the American appeared to be on the verge of victory for much of the game but was unable to convert his advantage due to Gukesh’s exceptional defensive play. Gukesh ultimately secured a convincing win in the Armageddon.
Norway Chess is recognized as one of the premier chess tournaments globally, featuring top male and female players in a unique six-player double round-robin format. The 2025 edition runs from May 26 to June 6.