Exciting Action at Norway Chess 2024: Nakamura Closes Gap on Carlsen, Muzychuk Takes Lead in Women’s Tournament

GM Hikaru Nakamura closed the gap to Norway Chess 2024 leader GM Magnus Carlsen to half a point after winning an armageddon thriller on time. World Champion Ding Liren ended his losing sequence to draw against GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, but missed a trick and lost the armageddon. GM Fabiano Caruana’s knight sacrifice against GM Alireza Firouzja almost backfired, but he escaped in classical chess before Firouzja gave no chances in the decider.

In the Women’s Norway Chess tournament, GM Anna Muzychuk has taken over as the sole leader after becoming the first player to win a mini-match against Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun. GM Vaishali Rameshbabu’s title hopes suffered a blow as she lost in classical chess to GM Koneru Humpy, while GM Lei Tingjie defeated GM Pia Cramling in armageddon.

Round eight of the tournament is set to start on Tuesday, June 4, at 11 a.m. ET / 17:00 CEST / 8:30 p.m. IST.

In the Open section, Carlsen came close to opening up a 1.5-point lead against Nakamura, but it was Nakamura who closed the gap to just half a point with three rounds to go. The armageddon game between Nakamura and Carlsen was a spectacle, with Nakamura ultimately winning on time after a fierce battle.

In the Women’s section, Muzychuk also won on time in armageddon to secure the sole lead in the tournament.

Norway Chess 2024 features both Open and Women’s tournaments with equal prize funds and runs from May 27 to June 7 in Stavanger. Players face each other twice in classical chess, with the winner of a game receiving three points. In case of a draw, players fight for an additional half-point in armageddon.

Stay tuned for the full report with player comments and analysis on this exciting tournament!