Indian Grand Master D Gukesh achieves career-best live ratings by holding Magnus Carlsen for a draw

India's Grand Master D Gukesh continued his impressive run in the ongoing 11th Norway Chess in Stavanger, Norway, to play a thrilling draw against World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen on Saturday (June 3).

The 17-year-old Indian GM held Carlsen for a draw in 82 moves in the fourth round of the competition. However, the Norwegian GM prevailed over the Indian in the tie-breaking Armegadon and picked up half a point more.

From the white side, Gukesh sacrificed his queen to keep himself alive in the contest but in vain. A blunder in the 51st move cost Gukesh a knight, following which he resigned.

After the well-fought marathon game against Carlsen, Gukesh earned 1.6 rating points and achieved a career-high live rating of 2739. He now holds the 15th position in the world in the live ratings. Carlsen has a world rating of 2853 and sits at the top.

It was the second time in 2023 that Gukesh held Carlsen for a draw. In this year's Tata Steel tournament in Wijk aan Zee (Netherlands), Gukesh played a draw with the former world champion in 46 moves.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin congratulated the Indian Grand Master for achieving the career-best rankings. Stalin wrote on Twitter, "Congrats Grand Master @DGukeshon achieving a career-high live rating of 2739 with your impressive, intense and hard-fought game against Carlsen in the @NorwayChess. May you soar to greater heights and continue to make Chennai, the Chess capital of India proud."

Earlier in round four, GM Fabiano Caruana defeated GM Alireza Firouzja in the classical game to lead the tournament with four points. He now is number two in the world with 2787.9 rating points.

In the remaining two Armageddon games, GM Hikaru Nakamura defeated GM Anish Giri with Black, while GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov won with White against GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov. GM Wesley So drew with Black to lock down victory against GM Aryan Tari.

In the ongoing Norway Chess 2023, Gukesh ranks fifth through round five with 7.0/15 points. Fabiano Caruana (USA) 10.5/15, Hiraku Nakamura (USA) 9.5/15, Alireza Firouzja (FRA) 7.5/15, and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Uzbekistan) 7.0/15. Carlsen is currently ranked sixth with 6.0/15.