Norwegian Chess: How R Praggnanandhaa can win the title in 2026 in triples – all scenarios explained

ByTech Word News

R Praggnanandhaa (photo by Michal Walusza for Norwegian Chess) NEW DELHI: The Norwegian Chess 2026 title race is heading for a dramatic finale with three players still fighting and only one round left to play. India’s Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu remains firmly in the sights and will enter the final day knowing that the championship is within reach.After nine rounds, Wesley So leads with 15.5 points, followed by Praggnanandhaa on 15 and Alireza Firouzja on 14.5. With only one point separating the top three, the battle for the title will go down to the final matches in Oslo. Praggnanandhaa boosted his chances with a decisive 9th round victory over reigning world champion D Gukesh. The Indian Grandmaster seized his opportunity in a tight encounter and converted his advantage convincingly, claiming three valuable points to keep him just half a point behind the leaders.The final lap pairing between Wesley So and Alireza Firouzja adds an interesting twist to the championship races. With the top two contenders, apart from Praggnanandha, facing each other, the Indian star knows that a strong result in his own game could greatly increase his chances of the top spot.A classic win for Praggnanandha would take him to 18 points and put huge pressure on both So and Firouzja. However, it will be tough for the Indian grandmaster as he will be up against top-ranked German player Vincent Keymer, who is yet to lose a classic game in the tournament. If So doesn’t win in classic chess against Firouzja, Praggnanandhaa would have an excellent opportunity to move up the rankings with a win in the classic format. Likewise, Firouzja’s victory in the classic could open the door for the French grandmaster, so every result will be critical.Even if Praggnanandhaa doesn’t secure a classic win, he can still stay in contention via the Armageddon format. With bonus points available after classic games drawn, the final standings could be decided by the narrowest of margins.A head-to-head clash between So and Firouzja ensures that at least one of Praggnanandhaa’s title rivals will go down on points in the final round. This reality leaves the Indian Grandmaster in a strong position as he prepares for the decisive day of the tournament.Based on standings before the final round:

  • Wesley Sat – 15.5
  • Praggnanandhaa – 15.0
  • Alireza Firouzja – 14.5

And when playing Firouzja, here are the main title scenarios for Praggnanandhaa:

Praggnanandhaa wins her classic game (+3 points = 18)

  • Pragg will become the champion unless So wins his classic game against Firouzja.
  • If So beats Firouzja in a classic game, So will reach 18.5 and win the title.
  • If So-Firouzja ends in a tie, neither can reach 18, giving Pragg the title.
  • If Firouzja beats So in classic style, Firouzja will reach 17.5, still behind Pragg’s 18.

Praggnanandhaa drew classic and won Armageddon (+1.5 points = 16.5)

Pragg can only win the title if:

  • So he loses his classic game to Firouzja and then an Armageddon tie-break. After that, Pragg and So are tied at 16.5 points and the title winner will be decided by a lightning tiebreak.

Praggnanandhaa drew classic and lost Armageddon (+1 point = 16)

  • His title chances are over
  • Either So or Firouzja would almost certainly finish ahead of him.

Praggnanandhaa loses her classic game (0 points)

  • His title chances are over.
  • Either So or Firouzja would almost certainly finish ahead of him.