What a ride! The 2025 edition of Norway Chess was packed with drama, excitement, and some truly unforgettable (& very meme-worthy) moments – yes, we know exactly what Gukesh meant when asked about his most memorable moment.
But beyond the laughs and the thrill, Norway Chess once again proved that it’s one of the most progressive and exciting events on the chess calendar – with equal prize funds for the open and women’s events. That’s not just important, it’s powerful.
And it shows what’s possible when a tournament truly believes in fairness and excellence for all.
A Big Win for Anna Muzychuk
Let’s start with the Women’s event, where Anna Muzychuk delivered a stellar performance to claim the crown. In a super strong field, Anna showed incredible focus, composure, and fighting spirit. With Norway Chess’s unique format – where every drawn classical game goes to an Armageddon tiebreak – there was no room to coast. Every point had to be earned, and Anna did just that.
Her victory is a huge especially after a very dramatic ending of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix. What a brilliant show of resilience!
Carlsen Does It Again
On the open side, the field was as strong as ever, with top players from around the world pushing each other to the limit. Despite some shaky rounds and even shakier tables – Magnus Carlsen showed yet again why he’s the GOAT – and secured his 7th Norway Chess title.
Equal Pay: A Message That Matters
It’s worth repeating – Norway Chess offers equal prize money. That’s huge. It means women and men are rewarded the same for their skill, their work, and their achievements. This kind of equality helps send the message loud and clear: chess is for everyone, and excellence deserves recognition – no matter who’s playing.
The organisers of Norway Chess have set a standard that we hope many more events will follow. Because when women and men are rewarded equally for their talent and hard work, everyone wins.
Not Just Serious – Seriously Cool
If Tata Steel is the Wimbledon of chess, then Norway Chess might just be the US Open – bold, modern, and full of character. It’s a tournament that knows how to take chess seriously, without taking itself too seriously. And this is why we love it!
And the connection runs even deeper: the US Open was the first tennis Grand Slam to offer equal prize money to men and women, back in 1973, thanks to the trailblazing efforts of Billie Jean King. That same spirit lives on today in Norway Chess – fighting for fairness, and doing it with style.
Congrats to all the players, and thank you to the Norway Chess organisers for showing the world how great a tournament can be when it’s competitive, exciting, and equal.
FIDE WOM at Norway Chess
We are very happy to mention that our members were also present at the Norway Chess 2025 – and in very important roles! Chair of FIDE Women Anastasia Sorokina was a Chief Arbiter of the event and our member Ulkar Umudova was a Deputy Arbiter.
Moreover – as a special highlight of the closing ceremony, the Queen Trap project – created by artist Juga in collaboration with our Commission – was also presented. This powerful music video and audiovisual art piece celebrates women in chess, featuring nearly 200 female players from 60 countries. We were proud to see this tribute to the global community of women in chess showcased on such a prestigious stage.
We can’t wait for the next edition already!
