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R Praggnanandhaa defeated Alireza Firouzja in a crucial classical game to move into joint third at Norway Chess, while Bibisara Assaubayeva strengthened her lead.
Pragg notched a win against the Frenchman in Round 7 (X/NorwayChess)
With just three rounds remaining, the battle for the Norway Chess 2026 crown has become increasingly unpredictable.
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa delivered one of the biggest results of Round 7, defeating tournament co-leader Alireza Firouzja in 51 moves. The victory marked only Praggnanandhaa’s second classical win of the tournament, but it could prove decisive in the title race.
The result lifted Praggnanandhaa into a tie for third place alongside Magnus Carlsen and Vincent Keymer. More importantly, it handed Firouzja a second consecutive classical defeat and blew the tournament wide open heading into the final stretch.
Wesley So Stays Ahead Despite Gukesh Fightback
Tournament leader Wesley So survived a major scare against reigning world champion D Gukesh.
Gukesh generated winning chances in the classical game but failed to convert them, allowing So to escape with a draw. The Indian star did gain some consolation by winning the Armageddon tiebreak, yet the extra point was not enough to lift him off the bottom of the standings.
Despite the setback, So remains in front, although his lead has narrowed considerably with three rounds still to be played.
Carlsen Remains in the Mix
Home favourite Carlsen kept his title hopes alive after drawing an intriguing King’s Indian battle against Keymer in classical chess.
The Norwegian then edged Keymer in Armageddon, ensuring he stayed firmly in contention for a record-extending eighth Norway Chess title.
With So leading and Firouzja, Praggnanandhaa, Carlsen and Keymer all within striking distance, the men’s competition is shaping up for a dramatic finish.
Assaubayeva Strengthens Grip On Women’s Event
In the women’s section, Bibisara Assaubayeva extended her advantage at the top after capitalising on a major blunder from Zhu Jiner to secure a valuable classical victory.
Assaubayeva now leads by 2.5 points over Divya Deshmukh, who remained in second place after defeating Koneru Humpy in Armageddon.
Meanwhile, Anna Muzychuk moved ahead of women’s world champion Ju Wenjun after handing her a sixth consecutive Armageddon defeat.
With three rounds left in Oslo, both tournaments remain far from settled.
About the Author
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His…Read More
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