Praggnanandhaa Returns to Winning Ways
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa produced one of the standout performances of Round 7 at the prestigious Norway Chess 2026 tournament, defeating French star Alireza Firouzja in a classical game. The victory ended Praggnanandhaa’s brief slump and significantly boosted his position in the standings with just three rounds remaining.
The Indian youngster displayed impressive tactical precision, outplaying Firouzja and securing a full three-point victory under Norway Chess’s unique scoring system. The win moved him into the group chasing tournament leader Wesley So and reignited his title hopes.
Gukesh Secures Valuable Armageddon Victory
Reigning World Champion D Gukesh also enjoyed a positive outing despite missing out on a classical-game win. Gukesh held tournament leader Wesley So to a draw before emerging victorious in the Armageddon tiebreak, earning valuable points in the overall standings.
Although the result was not enough to lift him from the lower end of the leaderboard, the Armageddon success provided a much-needed confidence boost after a difficult stretch in the tournament.
Carlsen Keeps Himself in Contention
World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen also secured an important Armageddon win after drawing his classical game against Germany’s Vincent Keymer. Despite an inconsistent campaign, Carlsen remains mathematically in contention for the title heading into the final stages of the event.
The Norwegian has endured a rare struggle on home soil, suffering multiple classical defeats during the tournament. However, his fighting spirit and strong tiebreak performances have kept him within striking distance of the leaders.
Tournament Race Intensifies
With only three rounds left to play, Wesley So continues to lead the standings, while Praggnanandhaa’s crucial victory has tightened the race behind him. Carlsen, Keymer, and Praggnanandhaa remain among the contenders, setting up an exciting finish to one of the strongest chess tournaments of the year.
India’s strong showing through Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh once again underlines the country’s growing influence in world chess, with both grandmasters continuing to challenge the sport’s elite on the global stage.
