Norway Chess 2026: Praggnanandhaa beats Carlsen again

By admin June 3, 2026 0 comments

R Praggnanandhaa defeated Magnus Carlsen for the second time in a Classical battle at 14th Norway Chess 2026.

Firouzja and Praggnanandhaa reduce the gap

Magnus Carlsen suffered his second consecutive loss against R Praggnanandhaa in a Classical game as the former walked into a mating net in a queen and bishop endgame. Wesley So defeated Vincent Keymer again, handing the latter his seventh Armageddon loss of the event. Alireza Firouzja got the better of the World Champion, D Gukesh to stay in contention.

Carlsen – Praggnanandhaa: 0-3

In the French Advance variation, R Praggnanandhaa (2735) faced a line which his second texted him to check but he forgot. Magnus Carlsen (NOR, 2841) mentioned in the confession booth that he thought for 20 minutes and played a move dumb enough that no one would even consider, that’s modern chess.

Position after 47…Qc3

The World no.1 brought his king to a misadventure 48.Kf4?? Qd4+ 49.Kf3 Qd3 50.Kf2 Qd2+ and checkmate is inevitable in the next few moves.

Both Magnus and Pragg started their game with a confession booth visit… and it turns out nobody really knows the position 👀😂 #NorwayChess pic.twitter.com/74hB9dLjLF
— Norway Chess (@NorwayChess) June 2, 2026

Interview with R Praggnanandhaa | Video: Norway Chess

*R Praggnanandhaa defeated Magnus Carlsen twice in Classical games at this event | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza*

Firouzja – Gukesh: 3-0

The World Champion, D Gukesh (2732) went wrong in the complex rook endgame against Alireza Firouzja (FRA, 2744).

Position after 43.Ra1

It was not easy to play the endgame accurately. Although, Black had more time on the clock than his opponent, still he erred 43…Re5+?? 44.Kd3 Rd5+ 45.Ke2 Re5+ 46.Kf1 Kb3 47.a5 soon White traded the a-pawn to capture a couple of black pawns on the kingside and went on to win the game and match.

Alireza Firouzja got the better of World Champion, D Gukesh again *| Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza*

So – Keymer: 1.5-1

The first official World Fischer Random champion, Wesley So (USA, 2753) drew the Classical game against Vincent Keymer (GER, 2767) comfortably. So won the must-win Armageddon with white pieces to win the match and maintain his sole lead.

*Wesley So defeated Vincent Keymer in Armageddon for the second time at this event | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza*

Replay live stream

Replay Round 8 live commentary by IM Anna Rudolf, GM Aryan Tari and Simon Bélanger | Video: Norway Chess

Replay Round 8 games

Round 8 Open results

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

Alireza Firouzja (FRA) – D Gukesh: 3-0

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

Standings after Round 8

Wesley So is still the sole leader 14/24 | Graphic: Norway Chess

Round 9 pairings

Wesley So (USA) – Magnus Carlsen (NOR)

Vincent Keymer (GER) – Alireza Firouzja (FRA)

D Gukesh – R Praggnanandhaa

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.