India, May 25 -- As the sun makes a rare appearance amid a gloomy weekend in Stavanger, this sleepy town in southwestern Norway with a population of just over 100,000 brightens up to some sight of life. Adults cycle around the lush green, kids skate through the evening, and runners completing a marathon are rewarded with a little concert after the finish line.

It's here that Viswanathan Anand, speaking last month at an event in Mumbai, expected a "perfect storm". The Indian chess legend's forecast wasn't an exaggeration of the persistent drizzle here, but of a "very exciting battle" in store at Norway Chess.

It's here with black pieces right at the start of the tournament on Monday that India's world champion D Gukesh will clash with No...