Nearly two years later, Praggnanandhaa humbles Carlsen at Norway Chess again

By admin May 28, 2026 0 comments

R Praggnanandhaa defeated Magnus Carlsen in a wild battle in Round 3 of 14th Norway Chess 2026.

Firouzja beats Gukesh in Armageddon

There is no doubt that Magnus Carlsen is the greatest player of all time when it comes to statistics. But until TePe Sigeman earlier this month, Carlsen hadn’t played a Classical tournament since last year’s Norway Chess. Playing one or two Norwegian league game doesn’t count because everyone there is much lower in strength than him. It makes everyone with a rational sense to question – is he still the World no.1 when it comes to strength? We might get the answer by the end of this tournament as currently he is at the bottom of the standings 1.5/9, six points behind the sole leader, Alireza Firouzja. Of course, it is not impossible for him to win the tournament but with only seven more rounds to go, he needs to start winning Classical games.

The World no.1 suffers an agonizing second Clasical defeat of the event in just three rounds | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Praggnanandhaa – Carlsen: 3-0

Nearly two years ago, R Praggnanandhaa (2733) scored his first Classical win against Magnus Carlsen (NOR, 2840) at the very same event in the same round and same color. The game had a wild start arising out of Sicilian Najdorf.

Position after 14…Rxc3

Black made a thematic exchange sacrifice 14…Rxc3. However, he was unable to generate anything substantial out of it.

Position after 44.c6

The game became very messy towards the end. 44…g2 45.Rxf3+ Kg7 46.Rxh5 Nxf3 47.c7 Ng3 48.Rh8 Kxh8 49.c8Q+ Kg7 and Black will also get to promote a queen soon. Instead, Black blundered 44…Kg7?? 45.c7+- Bb7 46.Rb8 g2 and White can play Rd1 to capture Black’s promoted queen but Black cannot do the same.

Magnus Carlsen was humbled by R Praggnanandhaa | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Final moments of Praggnanandhaa’s win against Magnus Carlsen | Video: Norway Chess

Interview with Praggnanandhaa after his win against Carlsen | Video: Norway Chess

Interview with Carlsen after his loss against Praggnanandhaa | Video: Norway Chess

Gukesh – Firouzja: 1-1.5

The World Champion, D Gukesh (2732) and Alireza Firouzja (FRA, 2759) have played nine Classical rated games against each other. Firouzja won three, Gukesh two and the remaining four ended in draws. Their tenth battle was a tepid draw. Gukesh was winning the better part of the endgame. However, a blunder diminished his winning chances.

Position after 38…Ba5

39.Nf5 would have maintained the decisive advantage for White. Instead, White blundered 39.Nc6?? It is not losing for White obviously but it is Armageddon where a draw for white means a loss. 39…Bc7+ 40.g3 Bb3 41.Rb2 Bd1 42.Nd4 Be5 43.Rd2 Bxd4 44.Bxd4 Rb1 45.g4 h4 46.Rxd1 Rxd1 White can no longer win this. Thus, Gukesh suffered his second consecutive loss.

Alireza Firouzja scored his first Armageddon win of the event | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Keymer – So: 1.5-1

Vincent Keymer (GER, 2759) and Wesley So (USA, 2754) played only two Classical rated games against each other. Both won a game each. Their third Classical battle ended in a draw. So outplayed Keymer in Armageddon.

Wesley So got the better of Vincent Keymer in Armageddon | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Round 3 in progress | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Replay Round 3 games

Round 3 Open results

R Praggnanandhaa – Magnus Carlsen (NOR): 3-0

D Gukesh – Alireza Firouzja (FRA): 1-1.5

Vincent Keymer (GER) – Wesley So (USA):1-1.5

Standings after Round 3

Alireza Firouzja (FRA) is still in sole lead 7.5/9 | Graphic: Norway Chess / Tor Nilssen & Kjetil V. Tveito

Round 4 pairings

D Gukesh – Magnus Carlsen (NOR)

Vincent Keymer (GER) – R Praggnanandhaa

Wesley So (USA) – Alireza Firouzja (FRA)

Open and Women pairings of all rounds | Graphic: Norway Chess

Format

6 players will take part in the Tournament.

The Tournament is a double-round event with Armageddon.

The Tournament consists of 10 rounds.

Berger tables will be used for the pairings.

Default time is 15 minutes.

Time Control

Each player will have 120 minutes on the clock with an increment of 10 seconds starting from move 41. The time control for the Armageddon game: white has 10 minutes and black has 7 minutes with an increment for both players of 1 second per move, starting from move 41.

Draw by Mutual Agreement

Players are not allowed to agree to a draw until at least 30 moves have been made by each player. This rule does not apply to Armageddon games.

Armageddon

If the classical game is drawn, an Armageddon game will be played. It shall start within 20 minutes of the conclusion of the classical game. The player with White pieces will continue with White in Armageddon. If the Armageddon game is drawn, black will win.