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Norway Chess 2026: Praggnanandhaa beats Firouzja as Wesley So retains lead
The battle for the Norway Chess 2026 title took another dramatic turn in Round Seven as Indian Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu delivered one of the standout performances of the tournament, defeating Alireza Firouzja in a crucial classical encounter that reshaped the leaderboard.
With the competition entering its decisive stages in Oslo, every point is proving vital, and Praggnanandhaa’s victory could have major implications for the title race.
Praggnanandhaa delivers statement victory
Facing one of the tournament favourites, Praggnanandhaa displayed remarkable composure and precision throughout a lengthy battle against Firouzja. After gradually building an advantage, the Indian star converted his position with impressive technique, securing a full classical win and three valuable points.
The defeat marks Firouzja’s second classical loss of the tournament and significantly tightens the race at the top.
For Praggnanandhaa, the result keeps him firmly in contention and reinforces his growing reputation as one of the most dangerous competitors on the global chess circuit.
Carlsen stays within reach
Home favourite and World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen remained firmly in the hunt after drawing his classical game against Vincent Keymer.
The Norwegian star was unable to find a breakthrough during the regular encounter, but once again demonstrated his trademark fighting spirit in the Armageddon playoff. Carlsen emerged victorious in the tiebreak, collecting the additional points needed to stay within striking distance of the tournament leader.
With several rounds still to play, Carlsen remains a serious threat as he seeks another Norway Chess title on home soil.
Gukesh claims Armageddon success
The clash between reigning World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju and tournament leader Wesley So also went the distance.
After an intense and closely balanced classical game ended in a draw, the players headed into Armageddon, where Gukesh emerged victorious. While So missed out on the extra points, he did enough to retain his place at the top of the standings.
Standings after round seven
Despite the setback, Wesley So continues to lead the tournament with 12.5 points.
Current standings:
- Wesley So – 12.5 points
- Alireza Firouzja – 10 points
- Magnus Carlsen – 9 points
- Vincent Keymer – 9 points
- Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu – 9 points
With only a handful of rounds remaining, the fight for the title remains wide open.
Assaubayeva strengthens grip on women’s tournament
The women’s tournament also produced a pivotal round, with Bibisara Assaubayeva taking a major step towards the title.
Playing with the white pieces against Zhu Jiner, the Kazakh star seized control after a complex middlegame and converted her advantage with confidence. The classical victory earned her the full three points and extended her lead at the top of the standings.
Divya Deshmukh keeps pressure on
Indian talent Divya Deshmukh continued her impressive campaign despite drawing her classical game against Humpy Koneru.
The youngster bounced back strongly in Armageddon, defeating Koneru with the black pieces to secure the additional points and maintain her position as Assaubayeva’s closest challenger.
Muzychuk remains in contention
Another key battle saw Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun face Anna Muzychuk.
After a hard-fought classical draw, Muzychuk claimed victory in the Armageddon playoff, collecting crucial points that keep her firmly in the title race heading into the final rounds.
Norway Chess women’s standings
Following Round Seven:
- Bibisara Assaubayeva – 12.5 points
- Divya Deshmukh – 10 points
- Anna Muzychuk – 9.5 points
A thrilling finish awaits
As Norway Chess 2026 enters its closing stages, both tournaments remain finely poised. While Wesley So continues to lead the open event, challengers led by Carlsen and Praggnanandhaa are closing in.
Meanwhile, Assaubayeva has strengthened her grip on the women’s competition, but with Divya Deshmukh and Anna Muzychuk still within reach, the race for the title is far from over.
With every draw leading to high-stakes Armageddon battles and every point carrying enormous significance, fans can expect even more drama before the champions are crowned in Oslo.
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