Chess champion Magnus Carlsen and wife Ella Victoria embarked on a new journey in life as they welcomed their first child. Ella broke the news on social media on Saturday, September 27, sharing an adorable photograph of Carlsen sleeping next to their newborn a moment that touched the chess world immediately. FIDE also sent its regards, joining the flood of congratulatory messages.
The pair got married in a beautiful ceremony at Oslo’s Holmenkollen Chapel in January 2025, had previously announced the pregnancy in May, when Carlsen shared pictures of Ella with a bump, writing “My beautiful pregnant wife.” Ella had teased that the sex of the baby would be a surprise until birth.
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Cherishing fatherhood in between, Carlsen is also preparing for a come-back showdown. Saint Louis Chess Club, after extensive renovations, will welcome Clutch Chess: Legends/Champions Showdown between October 27–29. The highlight of the event will be Carlsen’s confrontation with reigning World Champion D. Gukesh. The event will also include the all-time great rivalry between Garry Kasparov and Viswanathan Anand and bring back memories of chess enthusiasts across the globe.
The Carlsen–Gukesh showdown is evoking huge expectation. The Indian teenager Gukesh has already demonstrated his credentials in beating Carlsen, beating him twice in 2025. He beat him for the first time in Norway Chess 2025 when he dethroned the World No. 1 in classical play after a time-pressure mistake. He then repeated the triumph at the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz held in Croatia and displayed his rapid-fire mastery.
