Despite lacking motivation for the format and even questioning the need to play it at all, Magnus Carlsen was still superior to the world's top players at Norway Chess.

The only player who could spoil his title hopes – reigning world champion Gukesh, who trailed him by half a point – was in hot water against four-time US champion Fabiano Caruana. Carlsen knew right away that settling for a draw against India’s Arjun Erigaisi was the pragmatic call.