Magnus Carlsen’s quiet return to Classical chess rekindles old memories: 'We nearly fell off our chairs'

The chess world is buzzing with renewed energy after world No 1 Magnus Carlsen made a return to the Classical format at the TePe Sigeman Chess 2026. The tournament is being played from 1-7 May 1-7 in Malmo, Sweden. The TePe Sigeman Chess 2026 is Carlsen's first appearance in a Classical since the Norway Chess 2025.

Interestingly, it was Carlsen who himself asked the organisers in Malmo to take part in the competition. And the organisers could not believe their luck.

Carlsen returns to Malmo for chess

Carlsen relinquished the world title in 2022 and has increasingly decreased his participation in Classical chess tournaments. The five-time world champion's focus has been on freestyle tournaments. But with Norway Chess 2026 starting from May 25, Carlsen may have felt that it was best for him to prepare at the TePe Sigeman tournament.

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"Magnus Carlsen called us and asked if he could participate in the tournament. We couldn't believe it was real; we were so excited we nearly fell off our chairs," the TePe Sigeman tournament organisers were quoted as saying by Chess.com.

Besides preparing for the Norway tournament, the return to Malmo has also rekindled some old memories for Magnus Carlsen. "I played here as a kid, but then it didn't fit my schedule. Coming back is a nice thing," Carlsen said.

Carlsen had also played in the TePe Sigeman tournament as a 13-year-old in 2004, the year he became a Grandmaster.

He started the eight-player tournament with a thrilling draw against Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi. He currently finds himself in a joint lead with Erigaisi and Nodirbek Abdusattorov after the first three rounds. Carlsen beat Nils Grandelius in the second round and drew against Abdusattorov in the third round.

He faces Jorden van Foreest in the next game.