Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu Takes Lead at Norway Chess 2024, Defeats Magnus Carlsen

Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu Takes Lead at Norway Chess 2024 After Beating Magnus Carlsen

GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu has emerged as the new leader at Norway Chess 2024 after securing a historic victory against world number-one GM Magnus Carlsen in Wednesday’s third round. This win marks Praggnanandhaa’s first-ever classical chess victory over Carlsen, propelling him to the top of the standings.

In addition to Praggnanandhaa’s impressive performance, GM Fabiano Caruana also earned a full three points with a classical win against GM Ding Liren. Meanwhile, GM Hikaru Nakamura secured a victory in armageddon against GM Alireza Firouzja.

On the Women’s side of the tournament, all three clashes were decided in armageddons. GM Humpy Koneru defeated GM Lei Tingjie, GM Pia Cramling drew her game as White against GM Ju Wenjun, and GM Vaishali Rameshbabu held GM Anna Muzychuk to a draw as Black, maintaining her one-point lead in the standings.

The upcoming Round 4, scheduled for Thursday, May 30, promises to bring more thrilling matchups as the competition intensifies.

Open: Carlsen’s Risky Play Backfires

The highlight of the day was Praggnanandhaa’s stunning victory over Carlsen, where the young Indian GM capitalized on Carlsen’s risky play to secure a decisive win. Carlsen’s unconventional approach ultimately led to his downfall as Praggnanandhaa showcased exceptional skill and precision throughout the game.

Caruana also delivered a strong performance, implementing a new idea that caught Ding off guard and ultimately led to his victory. Nakamura’s strategic gameplay against Firouzja resulted in a draw, followed by a confident win in the armageddon game.

Women: Vaishali Maintains Lead

On the Women’s side, Vaishali Rameshbabu continued to impress, maintaining her lead in the tournament with a victory in the armageddon round. Other notable performances included GM Humpy Koneru’s win against Lei Tingjie and GM Ju Wenjun’s draw against Pia Cramling.

As the competition heats up, the players are gearing up for Round 4, where new challenges and exciting matchups await.

Round 4 Pairings

The Norway Chess 2024 tournament features both Open and Women’s events, with equal prize funds and intense competition. Players will face off in classical chess matches, with the winner of each game earning three points. The tournament runs from May 27 to June 7 in Stavanger, offering a thrilling showcase of top-tier chess talent.

Stay tuned for more updates and coverage as the action unfolds at Norway Chess 2024!