Norway Chess 2026: So beats Praggnanandhaa, becomes new sole leader

By admin June 1, 2026 0 comments

Wesley So defeated R Praggnanandhaa in Round 6 to become new sole leader at 14th Norway Chess 2026.

White wins three in Classical

Magnus Carlsen bounced back with a victory over Alireza Firouzja. Wesley So won against R Praggnanandhaa to move to the top of the standings 11.5/18. Vincent Keymer got the better of the World Champion, D Gukesh. Firouzja is now at second place 10/18, followed by Keymer 8/18 and Carlsen 7.5/18.

Wesley So is the new sole leader | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Carlsen – Firouzja: 3-0

After starting the tournament with a loss against Alireza Firouzja (FRA, 2759), it was obvious that the World no.1, Magnus Carlsen (NOR, 2840) would be determined to win their rematch. Also, the tournament situation virtually forces Carlsen to go for Classical wins. Firouzja was looking to launch an attack on the kingside but he was unable to do so. He lost a pawn on the queenside in the process. Carlsen neutralized it, arrived at a queen and minor pieces ending, applied a tactic to gain another pawn and won the game in a few more moves.

Magnus Carlsen bounced back with a victory against Alireza Firouzja | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Magnus – ” I may end up looking like a complete idiot – I don’t think he has anything! | Video: Norway Chess

So – Praggnanandhaa: 3-0

Wesley So (USA, 2754) won the rematch against R Praggnanandhaa (2733). The first official FIDE World Fischer Random champion, thwarted his opponent’s ambitious attack on the kingside. Praggnanandhaa made the mistake of trading the knights in a rook and knight endgame, resulting in a lost rook endgame for him. With this win, So gained sole lead.

Position after 49.Nc4

49…Nc6 keeps the game going. 49…Nxc4?? 50.bxc4+- and now White is completely winning the rook endgame as the d3-pawn will fall anytime.

Wesley So defeated Praggnanandhaa to emerge new sole leader | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Keymer – Gukesh: 3-0

Vincent Keymer (GER, 2759) won his rematch against the World Champion, D Gukesh (2732). Keymer outplayed Gukesh.

Vincent Keymer outplayed D Gukesh | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Replay live stream

Replay Round 6 live commentary by IM Anna Rudolf, GM Aryan Tari and Simon Bélanger | Video: Norway Chess

Replay Round 6 games

Round 6 Open results

Magnus Carlsen (NOR) – Alireza Firouzja (FRA): 3-0

Wesley So (USA) – R Praggnanandhaa: 3-0

Vincent Keymer (GER) – D Gukesh: 3-0

Standings after Round 6

Wesley So is the new sole leader 11.5/18 | Graphic: Norway Chess

Round 7 pairings

Vincent Keymer (GER) – Magnus Carlsen (NOR)

D Gukesh – Wesley So (USA)

R Praggnanandhaa – 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.