R Praggnanandhaa Makes History by Defeating Magnus Carlsen Again at Norway Chess 2026

In a stunning display of skill, R Praggnanandhaa defeated Magnus Carlsen for the second time at Norway Chess 2026, marking a historic achievement. Meanwhile, D Gukesh faced a setback against Alireza Firouzja, complicating his tournament journey. The Indian women's team also experienced mixed results, with Divya Deshmukh falling behind and Koneru Humpy securing a crucial win. This article delves into the highlights and implications of these matches.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 3, 2026, 07:21 IST

Historic Victory for R Praggnanandhaa

In a remarkable achievement during Round 8 of the Norway Chess 2026 held in Oslo, R Praggnanandhaa made headlines by defeating World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen. This victory marks his second consecutive win against the Norwegian chess icon in the same tournament, having previously triumphed over him in Round 4. The 20-year-old Indian Grandmaster has now defeated Carlsen three times, making him the first Indian and one of the few globally to achieve this feat. Praggnanandhaa, playing with the black pieces, approached the Round 8 match with the intent to replicate his earlier success. The game unfolded into a gripping contest of strategy and mental endurance. Despite the mounting pressure, Praggnanandhaa kept the five-time World Champion on the defensive. As time dwindled, Carlsen found himself in a precarious position, ultimately leading to a critical mistake that allowed Praggnanandhaa to secure a forced checkmate and claim victory. With this win, Praggnanandhaa holds third place with 12 points, remaining a strong contender for the Norway Chess 2026 title, closely trailing tournament leader Wesley So (14 points) and Alireza Firouzja from France (13 points). After the match, Praggnanandhaa emphasized the importance of the win for the tournament rather than focusing solely on defeating Carlsen, stating, "It's more important for the tournament that I get this win than thinking that it's Magnus. Of course, it's great to do it against Magnus, but I think winning any game at this stage of the tournament is good."

D Gukesh Faces Setback Against Alireza Firouzja

While R Praggnanandhaa celebrated his victory, World Champion D Gukesh encountered difficulties in Round 8 against Alireza Firouzja. Gukesh struggled to find his rhythm and ultimately faced his third defeat of the tournament. This loss further impacted his standing in the competition, while Firouzja's win propelled him into second place, intensifying the competition with Wesley So.

Mixed Results for Indian Women at Norway Chess 2026

In the women's section of Norway Chess 2026, the Indian players had varied outcomes in Round 8. Divya Deshmukh, who was in second place, faced a crucial match against the tournament leader, Kazakhstan's Bibisara Assaubayeva. Despite a fierce battle where Assaubayeva initially struggled, she managed to turn the tide and secure a surprising victory, extending her lead in the tournament. As a result, Deshmukh slipped to third place with 10 points, as the title appears to be moving further from her reach. Conversely, Koneru Humpy found a silver lining in her campaign. After a challenging draw against Anna Muzychuk in her classical game, Humpy demonstrated her tenacity by defeating the Ukrainian in the subsequent Armageddon tie-break, earning a valuable extra half-point, although she remains at the bottom of the standings.