Round three of Norway Chess 2026 delivered another explosive day of elite competition, with Indian grandmaster Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu scoring one of the biggest wins of his career against World No 1 Magnus Carlsen.

The highly anticipated clash unfolded as a tense strategic battle before turning dramatic in severe time pressure. Praggnanandhaa held the initiative for much of the game and appeared to be steadily outplaying the Norwegian star. Carlsen briefly turned the tables late in the contest, creating hopes of another escape act, but a critical blunder moments later forced the five-time world champion to resign immediately.

The victory marks another significant milestone for the Indian prodigy, who continues to establish himself among the strongest players on the global chess circuit.

Meanwhile, tournament leader Alireza Firouzja faced reigning World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju in a hard-fought encounter that ended in a classical draw after a tense positional struggle.

Firouzja later emerged victorious in the Armageddon tiebreak, earning the extra points needed to preserve his lead at the top of the standings.

The third matchup between Vincent Keymer and Wesley So also remained evenly balanced throughout the classical portion before Wesley So claimed victory in Armageddon.

Women’s round

In the women’s tournament, every classical game once again ended level, forcing all three matchups into Armageddon deciders.

Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun and Zhu Jiner produced a tense battle in which Zhu held strong winning chances at one stage but could not fully convert her advantage in classical play. Zhu later recovered to win the Armageddon game and secure the additional points.

Anna Muzychuk and Humpy Koneru also split the point in classical chess before Muzychuk prevailed in the tiebreak.

Another intense matchup saw tournament leader Bibisara Assaubayeva battle rising Indian talent Divya Deshmukh in a complicated struggle that eventually finished drawn. Divya later captured the Armageddon victory to continue closing the gap in the standings.

Despite the strong performances from her rivals, Assaubayeva remains in first place in Norway Chess Women after three rounds of intense competition in Oslo.

With roads across the UAE expected to become significantly busier during the Eid Al Adha holidays, Abu Dhabi Police has called on motorists to avoid using mobile phones while driving, particularly for sending or checking Eid greeting messages.

Officials warned that even a few seconds of distraction behind the wheel can dramatically increase the risk of traffic accidents, especially during the festive period when many families travel for prayers, social visits and celebrations.

Drivers were urged to remain fully attentive while on the road and avoid interacting with messaging applications or social media platforms during their journeys. Authorities advised residents to share Eid greetings either before leaving home or after safely parking their vehicles.

Police stressed that taking one’s eyes off the road, even briefly, can reduce reaction times and make it harder for drivers to respond effectively in sudden emergency situations.

Violators face fine and black points

Under UAE traffic regulations, motorists caught driving inattentively can face fines of Dh800 along with four black points on their licence. Violations include using mobile phones while driving as well as other distracting activities such as eating, applying makeup or adjusting in-car devices while the vehicle is in motion.

Strict rules in Dubai

Authorities in Dubai also highlighted stricter traffic enforcement measures. Dubai Police has been authorised to impound vehicles for up to 30 days for dangerous driving offences, including mobile phone use, tailgating and sudden lane swerving.

The vehicle impoundment penalties are applied alongside existing federal fines and black point violations, as authorities continue efforts to improve road safety and reduce preventable accidents across the country.

Police have urged all road users to drive responsibly during Eid and cooperate with traffic laws to help ensure a safer holiday period for residents and visitors alike.

As visitor movement and public gatherings increase in Dubai during Eid Al Adha, the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services has introduced an extensive citywide emergency readiness strategy to ensure rapid medical assistance throughout the holiday period.

The authority confirmed that emergency response operations have been intensified across Dubai, with specialised rescue teams and ambulance units deployed in crowded public areas, tourist attractions, and residential communities to maintain uninterrupted healthcare support around the clock.

Under the expanded plan, ambulance crews will operate from strategically selected locations, including beaches, shopping malls, parks, event venues and transport hubs, where large numbers of residents and tourists are expected to gather during the celebrations.

Trained emergency workers mobilised

Officials stated that nearly 1,000 trained emergency workers and field coordinators have been mobilised as part of the operation. The deployment network covers approximately 160 emergency response locations spread across the emirate.

The response system is supported by a diverse fleet of emergency vehicles and rescue equipment, including rapid intervention units, ambulances, bicycles designed for congested areas, marine rescue boats and helicopter ambulance services coordinated jointly with Dubai Police.

Additional emergency teams will also remain stationed near prayer areas, densely populated neighbourhoods and major leisure destinations to improve response times during peak holiday activity.

Dedicated teams at airport

To handle the anticipated increase in passenger traffic, dedicated ambulance teams have also been positioned throughout terminals at Dubai International Airport, where emergency medical services will remain available for travellers throughout the Eid period.

Authorities have meanwhile appealed to motorists to cooperate with rescue teams by immediately clearing the way for ambulances and emergency vehicles, emphasising that quick response times are often crucial in preventing complications and saving lives.

The enhanced operational measures form part of Dubai’s broader public safety preparations for Eid Al Adha, as government agencies across the emirate continue coordinating efforts to manage the busy holiday season efficiently and safely.