Praggnanandhaa Stuns Magnus Carlsen in Thrilling Norway Chess Clash

Oslo- Indian Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu pulled off a sensational victory over World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in Round 3 of Norway Chess 2026, capping off a dramatic day filled with tense battles and late twists.

Praggnanandhaa looked sharp and composed for most of the classical game, steadily building pressure against the Norwegian superstar. Just when it seemed the Indian teenager had things under control, severe time trouble changed the course of the match, allowing Carlsen to briefly turn the tables.

But the drama did not end there. Under mounting pressure, Carlsen committed a costly blunder and resigned immediately, handing Praggnanandhaa one of the biggest wins of his career.

In another key encounter, reigning World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju battled tournament leader Alireza Firouzja in a fiercely contested classical game that eventually ended in a draw. Firouzja later edged past Gukesh in the Armageddon tiebreak to grab the extra points and continue his impressive run in the tournament.

The clash between Vincent Keymer and Wesley So also finished level in classical play after a balanced contest. Wesley So then emerged victorious in the Armageddon game to pocket the bonus points.

After three rounds, Firouzja continues to lead the standings.

Armageddon Drama Continues in Norway Chess Women

The women’s section once again witnessed intense competition, with all three classical games ending in draws before being decided in Armageddon tiebreaks.

Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun and Zhu Jiner fought a tense battle where Zhu enjoyed promising chances at one stage but could not convert them into a full point. Zhu, however, bounced back strongly to win the Armageddon game and secure the bonus points.

Anna Muzychuk and Humpy Koneru also shared the spoils in classical chess after a closely fought encounter. Muzychuk later came out on top in Armageddon.

Meanwhile, tournament leader Bibisara Assaubayeva and India’s Divya Deshmukh produced a complicated and hard-fought game that ended in a draw in regular play. Divya then clinched victory in Armageddon to earn the additional points.

Despite the strong performances from Divya and Zhu Jiner, Assaubayeva remains at the top of the Norway Chess Women standings after Round 3.

With inputs from IANS