Norwegian Chess: R Praggnanandhaa, Divya Deshmukh back to winning ways; Gukesh, Magnus Carlsen share bottom spots despite wins

R Praggnanandhaa, Divya Deshmukh, D Gukesh and Magnus Carlsen (photo by Michal Walusza for Norwegian Chess) NEW DELHI: Ahead of Norway Chess 2026, currently in its 14th year, if someone had told you that at mid-point, reigning World Chess Champion D Gukesh and World No.1 Magnus Carlsen would be the last and penultimate names on the scoreboard, it would have raised countless questions about that person’s sanity. And rightfully so. Who would have thought that as the drama at the Deichman Bjørvika library in Oslo reached its climax and began its cruise to the end with only three rounds remaining, we would see two of the most talked about players on the circuit still completely out of contention for the crown?It was Round 7 on Monday where the Indians managed to pile up some pretty commendable results after enduring a tumultuous day at the office in the previous round where everyone suffered losses. The most authoritative performance was given by Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa. Playing with the white pieces against Firouzja, the Chennai prodigy showed the strength needed to turn around a classic defeat to Germany’s Vincent Keymer on Sunday. Praggnanandhaa treated Giuoco Pianissimo patiently and improved the placement of his pieces before striking the queen side. After simplifying to a dynamic middle game, he won key queenside pawns and took advantage of Black’s loose coordination. The critical phase came after 35.Ra1, when tactical complications were in favor of white. Praggnanandhaa’s active queen, centralized pieces and a strong knight on f4 generated constant threats.By 49,Kh3, Black’s position collapsed completely, handing Firouzja – once the tournament leader in the open section – his second classic defeat in a row.

Divya Deshmukh defeated Konera Humpy twice in Armageddon in consecutive weeks

The all-India clash, which was a reverse move of the 2nd round in the Norwegian Women’s Chess this year, headed to an Armageddon tie-break after a classic clash between Divya Deshmukh and veteran Koneru Humpy failed to produce a winner in the longer format of the game.As is customary for Armageddon tie-breaks, Black must prevent White from winning while gaining more time on the clock (in this case ten minutes to White’s seven minutes). Divya Deshmukh wore black figures. When she accepted the Benko Gambit and gradually seized the initiative through active piece play, Humpy gained some attacking chances, but Black’s pieces became more and more coordinated. A queen trade on move 25 worked wonders for the 20-year-old from Nagpur as Divya turned the position into a favorable tactical ending. Accurate moves like 27…Rd1+ and 28…Ne1+ exposed the white king and 31…Nxc1 won the game.This tie-break win left Divya second and currently 2.5 points behind women’s leader Bibisara Assaubayeva.

Elsewhere: Magnus Carlsen and Gukesh win armageddon tie-breaks

Magnus Carlsen has had a terrible tournament so far by his standards. However, the local hero, who is also a five-time world champion, was able to outsmart Keymer in an Armageddon tie-break. The situation proved somewhat similar for 20-year-old Gukesh as he drew his classic game before defeating Wesley So at Armageddon.In the women’s section, Bibisara offered another example of the great form she is in with a classic victory over China’s Zhu Jiner. Meanwhile, women’s world champion Ju Wenjun lost to Norway’s reigning chess champion Anna Muzychuk.