Norway Chess 2026: Carlsen beats World Champion Gukesh

By admin May 29, 2026 0 comments

Magnus Carlsen scores his first Classical win of 14th Norway Chess 2026 against the World Champion, D Gukesh in Round 4.

So ends Firouzja’s unbeaten run

The World no.1, Magnus Carlsen ended his Classical win drought when he defeated the World Champion, D Gukesh. R Praggnanandhaa defeated Vincent Keymer in Armageddon moving to 6/12. Wesley So ended the tournament sole leader, Alireza Firouzja’s unbeaten run by registering his third consecutive Armageddon win.

The World no.1 is delighted to get his first Classical win of the event | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Gukesh – Carlsen: 0-3

The World Champion, D Gukesh (2732) and World no.1, Magnus Carlsen (NOR, 2840) have played six Classical rated games against each other. Their last encounter was at the very same event which Gukesh won and the final moments of the game was emotional and talked for days. Carlsen was coming into this game with two Classical losses. So it goes without saying that it was a crucial game for him. Gukesh got into an uncomfortable position out of the opening. He lost castling rights. Although, computer might say the position is equal, the reality is far from it.

Position after 29…Qf6

Having low time on the clock, White went wrong 30.Be4?? Rb5-+ 31.Qd2 Bb3 32.Rc1 Rxc1 33.Qxc1 Qxd4+ 34.Kg2 Be6 35.Qxf4 Rb2+ 36.Kh1 Qf2 37.Qxd6+ Kg7 38.Qe5+ f6 White was forced to sacrifice his queen to prevent checkmate or material loss 39.Qxb2 Qxb2 and Black won the game in the next few moves.

Magnus Carlsen scored his first Classical win of the event against the reigning World Champion – D Gukesh | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Gukesh and Carlsen analyzing their game afterwards | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Interview with Magnus Carlsen | Video: Norway Chess

Magnus Carlsen – “I kinds of surprised myself” | Video: Norway Chess

Keymer – Praggnanandhaa: 1-1.5

Vincent Keymer (GER, 2759) and R Praggnanandhaa (2733) have been fighting against each other since their childhood for over 11.5 years. They have played ten Classical rated games against each other. Praggnanandhaa has won four, Keymer three and the remaining three ended in draws. Their eleventh Classical battle was a well contested draw. In Armageddon, Keymer made a one-move tactical error which cost him the game against Praggnanandhaa.

R Praggnanandhaa won his second Armageddon of the event | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

So – Firouzja: 1.5-1

Wesley So (USA, 2754) and Alireza Firouzja (FRA, 2759) have played ten Classical rated games against each other. Both won two games each and the remaining six ended in draws. Their eleventh Classical battle also ended in a draw. Firouzja made a tactical error in Armageddon which first cost him an exchange and eventually the game.

Wesley So ended Alireza Firouzja’s unbeaten run at this event | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Replay live stream

Replay Round 4 live commentary by IM Anna Rudolf, GM Aryan Tari and Simon Bélanger | Video: Norway Chess

Replay Round 4 games

Round 4 Open results

D Gukesh – Magnus Carlsen (NOR): 0-3

Vincent Keymer (GER) – R Praggnanandhaa: 1-1.5

Wesley So (USA) – Alireza Firouzja (FRA): 1.5-1

Standings after Round 4

Alireza Firouzja (FRA) is still in sole lead 8.5/12 | Graphic: Norway Chess / Tor Nilssen & Kjetil V. Tveito

Round 5 pairings

Magnus Carlsen (NOR) – Wesley So (USA)

Alireza Firouzja (FRA) – Vincent Keymer (GER)

R Praggnanandhaa – D Gukesh

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.