Praggnanandhaa Stuns Gukesh, Tightens Norway Chess Title Race; Assaubayeva Clinches Women’s Crown

Oslo- The Norway Chess tournament intensified dramatically as R. Praggnanandhaa delivered a crucial classical win over reigning world champion D. Gukesh, keeping the title race wide open heading into the final round. In another key matchup, Wesley So strengthened his position at the top after edging Magnus Carlsen in the Armageddon tiebreak.

Praggnanandhaa, playing with black pieces, gradually gained control after Gukesh came under pressure in the middlegame. He converted his advantage confidently, securing a full three points and moving to 15 points overall—just half a point behind leader Wesley So.

Wesley So’s classical encounter with Magnus Carlsen ended in a balanced draw, but So capitalised in the Armageddon decider to collect the extra points and maintain his slender lead. With one round remaining, the title battle remains finely poised.

Alireza Firouzja also stayed in contention after surviving sustained pressure from Vincent Keymer in their classical game. Firouzja held firm in a difficult position and went on to win the Armageddon, ensuring he remains within striking distance of the leaders.

After nine rounds, Wesley So leads with 15.5 points, followed closely by Praggnanandhaa on 15 and Firouzja on 14.5, setting up a tense finish.

In the women’s section, Bibisara Assaubayeva secured the Norway Chess Women 2026 title with a round to spare after maintaining an unassailable lead.

She drew her classical game against Anna Muzychuk, who later won the Armageddon tiebreak. However, the result was not enough to threaten Assaubayeva’s overall dominance.

Zhu Jiner claimed the only decisive classical win in the women’s event, defeating Divya Deshmukh after sustained middlegame pressure and capitalising on her opponent’s time trouble. She moved into second place in the standings.

The match between Koneru Humpy and reigning women’s world champion Ju Wenjun ended in a classical draw, with Ju Wenjun taking the Armageddon points.

After nine rounds, Assaubayeva leads with 16.5 points, followed by Zhu Jiner on 13 and Anna Muzychak in third with 12.

With inputs from IANS