R Praggnanandhaa shocked the chess world once more by defeating Magnus Carlsen in classical play for the second time at Norway Chess 2026, boosting his chances of becoming the first Indian champion of the prestigious tournament.
The 20‑year‑old Grandmaster lifted his tally to 12 points and climbed to third place, while Carlsen’s hopes of securing an eighth Norway Chess crown suffered a major setback. Praggnanandhaa became the only player this year to beat Carlsen twice in classical games, underlining his rise among the elite.
Carlsen endured a turbulent campaign, losing four classical encounters, including two against the Indian star. His title defence now hangs in the balance with only two rounds left.
At the top, Wesley So extended his lead to 14 points after defeating Vincent Keymer in Armageddon. Alireza Firouzja followed closely with 13 points after outplaying reigning world champion D Gukesh, whose defeat ended his title hopes. Gukesh, stuck on eight points, cannot surpass 14 even with wins in his remaining games.
