**Caruana Takes the Lead, Gukesh Surges with Remarkable Win**

In a riveting seventh round at Norway Chess 2025, GM Fabiano Caruana has emerged as the leader, closely followed by World Champion GM Gukesh Dommaraju. Caruana marked his ascendancy by defeating GM Wei Yi, who was celebrating his 26th birthday. The endgame, initially poised to be a draw, turned in Caruana's favor, showcasing his incredible skill in squeezing out a win from seemingly equal positions.

Gukesh also stunned the audience with a dramatic win against GM Arjun Erigaisi. Despite being precariously close to losing, Gukesh managed to turn the game around, thereby notching his first-ever classical victory against Erigaisi and underscoring his fighting spirit and resilience.

Meanwhile, GM Magnus Carlsen has slipped to third place. Although he secured an armageddon victory against GM Hikaru Nakamura, it wasn't enough to keep pace with the top two. The standings reveal Caruana at the top, with Gukesh trailing by a single point. With three rounds remaining and three points awarded for a classical win, Carlsen remains very much in contention.

In the Women's section, GM Ju Wenjun's first classical win of the tournament against IM Sara Khadem has propelled her into the sole lead with three rounds left. Ju's performance follows a series of armageddon victories, solidifying her dominant position. GM Anna Muzychuk also had a notable round, winning her armageddon match against GM Koneru Humpy, keeping her close behind Ju. GM Lei Tingjie joined the list of classical game winners by capitalizing on IM Vaishali Rameshbabu's time trouble.

The seventh round was the most decisive thus far, with four classical games ending in wins. Caruana, Gukesh, Ju, and Lei won their matches outright, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the tournament.

The landscape of Norway Chess 2025 remains dynamic, with the top contenders poised for further intense clashes. As the players prepare for the eighth round, each match becomes increasingly crucial. The tournament, which runs until June 6, features both Open and Women's six-player tournaments with equal prize funds, highlighting the competitive spirit and parity in the chess world.

Fans can follow the action on the Chess24 YouTube and Twitch channels, as well as on Nakamura's Kick channel. The live broadcasts are hosted by IMs Tania Sachdev and Jovanka Houska, alongside GM David Howell, bringing expert analysis and insights to viewers worldwide.