Gukesh Secures First Classical Win, Climbs to Podium at Norway Chess 2026
Gukesh Secures First Classical Win at Norway Chess 2026, Carlsen Struggles
May 31, 2026, 02:26 IST
In a thrilling display of skill and strategy, World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju finally found his footing at Norway Chess 2026, clinching his first classical victory of the tournament against compatriot Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu in Round 5. The all-Indian clash, which saw Gukesh playing with the black pieces, ended decisively after 47 moves, with Gukesh forcing checkmate and prompting Praggnanandhaa to resign.
This win marked a significant turning point for Gukesh, who had previously only managed a victory through Armageddon in Round 1. His triumph not only provided a much-needed confidence boost but also propelled him to third place in the standings, while Praggnanandhaa slipped to fourth.
Gukesh’s reaction post-match was one of palpable relief, as he expressed gratitude for finally breaking his classical win drought at this prestigious event. “It feels great to finally get a win under my belt,” he remarked, highlighting the pressure he felt leading up to the match.
Round 5 was packed with excitement, with two out of three classical games resulting in victories for players with black pieces, and only one game ending in a draw. Tournament leader Alireza Firouzja continued his impressive run, narrowly missing a win against Vincent Keymer in classical play but maintaining his composure in Armageddon to secure the victory, extending his lead at the top of the table.
Wesley So also had a standout day, climbing to second place after defeating five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen, who now finds himself at the bottom of the standings. Carlsen’s struggles have made his quest for a record eighth Norway Chess title increasingly challenging.
As the tournament progresses, the standings reflect Firouzja’s commanding lead with 10.0 points, followed by So with 8.5 points. Gukesh now sits at 6.5 points, while Praggnanandhaa trails closely with 6.0 points. Keymer and Carlsen round out the standings with 5.0 and 4.5 points, respectively.
In parallel, the Norway Chess Women 2026 saw India’s Divya Deshmukh ascend to the top of the leaderboard after defeating China’s Zhu Jiner in Round 5. This victory allowed her to dethrone Bibisara Assaubayeva, who drew her match against Anna Muzychuk but later lost in Armageddon. Divya now leads with 8.5 points, while Bibisara follows closely with 8.0 points.
As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on Gukesh and the other contenders as they vie for supremacy in this prestigious chess event.
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