Magnus Carlsen and Indian Players Shine on Day 1 of Norway Chess Tournament

The Norway Chess tournament commenced in Stavanger, drawing significant attention from chess enthusiasts worldwide. World champion Magnus Carlsen and Indian prodigies R Praggnanandhaa, R Vaishali, and Humpy Koneru were among the key attractions on the opening day.

The tournament, often referred to be the 'Wimbledon of chess,' features a stellar lineup including reigning world champions Ding Liren and Ju Wenjun, and top-ranked players like Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura. This year's event also marks the first women's edition, with Humpy Koneru representing India in the elite six-player field.

Magnus Carlsen, the crowd favorite, played out a 14-move draw in classical time control against Ding Liren, followed by a 68-move marathon draw in the Armageddon format. Carlsen expressed his enthusiasm, stating, *"It feels really good to play in Stavanger again. There are a lot of chess fans in Norway, most of them don't get the chance to see me very often. So it feels very special whenever I play here.'*

Indian players Praggnanandhaa, Vaishali, and Humpy Koneru also drew significant attention. Praggnanandhaa secured a thrilling victory over Alireza Firouzja in the Armageddon game, marking his first over-the-board win against the French player. He commented on his win, 'I didn’t really see the clock at all. I didn’t realize that we didn’t make move 40.'

Indian-origin Norwegian MP Himanshu Gulati was present to show his support for the Indian players. *'India should be really proud of the talents they have produced. Currently, India is definitely a dominant force in chess, Gulati remarked.

In the women's section, Humpy Koneru secured 1.5 points, while Vaishali put up a strong performance against women's world champion Wenjun Ju but lost in the end. The tournament's unique format awards three points for a win under classical time control and 1.5 points for the winner in the Armageddon game, with the loser receiving one point.

Kjell Madland, founder and director of Norway Chess, praised the Indian players, noting, 'India is a huge country for chess. A lot of Indian players are very talented. We used to have Anand playing here for many years. It's a massive honour for us to have him play here. Indian players are so nice. And they're always professional. They're so young, but so good.'

The tournament also features other notable participants such as France's Alireza Firouzja and Swedish GM Pia Cramling. During the tournament's progression, all eyes will be on whether Praggnanandhaa and other Indian players can continue their impressive performances.

The Norway Chess tournament continues to captivate fans and players alike, showcasing the talents of both established champions and emerging prodigies.

Key Takeaways

• Norway Chess tournament begins in Stavanger, featuring top players like Magnus Carlsen and Indian prodigies.
• Magnus Carlsen draws with Ding Liren in classical and Armageddon formats on opening day.
• R Praggnanandhaa secures thrilling win over Alireza Firouzja in Armageddon game.
• Humpy Koneru represents India in the inaugural women's edition, scoring 1.5 points.
• Tournament features unique format, awarding 3 points for classical win and 1.5 points for Armageddon win.