Punjab Newsline,Sports :
Youngest-ever World Champion returns to Norway Chess, eyes strong showing against elite field
Reigning World Chess Champion D. Gukesh Dommaraju is set to compete at Norway Chess 2026, one of the strongest and most prestigious tournaments in the global chess calendar. The event will be held in Oslo, where the world’s top players will once again gather, making Gukesh’s participation a major highlight for chess fans, especially in India.
Gukesh will arrive in Oslo as the youngest undisputed World Champion in the history of the game. In 2024, the Indian prodigy first won the Candidates Tournament to earn the right to challenge for the world title. He then defeated defending champion Ding Liren to claim the crown at just 18 years of age, creating history and announcing himself as the new face of world chess.
Expressing his excitement, Gukesh said he is delighted to return to Norway Chess and is looking forward to competing against a traditionally strong and challenging field. Known for its intense format and elite line-up, Norway Chess has consistently tested the very best players in the world.
Gukesh’s rise in international chess has been marked by several remarkable milestones. He became the youngest player ever to cross the 2750 Elo rating mark and earned his Grandmaster title at the age of 12, making him the third-youngest Grandmaster in chess history. His performances have played a crucial role in India’s emergence as a global chess powerhouse.
At the Chess Olympiad, Gukesh delivered outstanding results. In 2022, he won individual gold on board one, and in 2024, he went on to secure both team gold for India and another individual gold on board one, underlining his consistency at the highest level.
Norway Chess has already witnessed some defining moments in Gukesh’s career. In the 2025 edition, he finished third overall and registered his first classical victory against former World Champion Magnus Carlsen. That dramatic encounter, which featured the widely discussed “table-slam” moment, quickly became one of the most talked-about games of the tournament.
Norway Chess COO Benedicte Westre Skog said the tournament values Gukesh’s return as the reigning World Champion. She noted that India has become one of the strongest chess nations in the world and expressed confidence that fans across India will closely follow Gukesh’s campaign in Oslo in 2026.