Carlsen maintains top spot, Ding struggles: Norway Chess round 4 recap

In a thrilling round 4 of the Norway Chess super-tournament, Magnus Carlsen proved why he is still the number one player in the world. Despite coming from a loss in the previous round, Carlsen managed to outplay his closest rival, Fabiano Caruana, and extend his lead in the live ratings list.

The game between Carlsen and Caruana was a tense battle, with both players fighting for the win. In the end, it was Carlsen’s superior technical ability that allowed him to come out on top in a queen endgame that engines initially evaluated as drawn. This victory not only solidified Carlsen’s position at the top but also put him just 1 point behind the tournament leader.

Meanwhile, Ding Liren, the world champion, continued to struggle in the tournament. After suffering a second consecutive loss, this time to Alireza Firouzja, Ding found himself at the bottom of the standings, 2.5 points behind fifth-placed Caruana. Firouzja, on the other hand, showcased his strong play and noted that Ding was not at his best during their game.

In other games of the round, Hikaru Nakamura defeated R Praggnanandhaa to climb to the top of the standings, while showcasing deep home preparation and superior endgame skills. The round ended with all three encounters finishing decisively, adding to the excitement of the tournament.

With Carlsen still dominating at the top and Ding struggling to find his form, the Norway Chess super-tournament continues to provide thrilling chess action for fans around the world. Stay tuned for more updates as the competition heats up.