Gukesh Triumphs in Norway Chess 2026 Opener; Firouzja Shocks Carlsen

Gukesh Shines in Norway Chess 2026 Opener, Firouzja Stuns Carlsen

Oslo, May 25, 2026 — World champion D. Gukesh showcased his remarkable defensive prowess and strategic acumen in a thrilling opening round of Norway Chess 2026, battling back from a precarious position to secure victory over German Grandmaster Vincent Keymer in the Armageddon tiebreaker.

The match began with a tense classical game that ended in a draw, despite Gukesh initially holding a winning position. A miscalculated 50-move draw claim allowed Keymer to gain crucial time, but the German could not capitalize on the opportunity. Gukesh’s resilience shone through in the Armageddon, where a decisive move on the 15th turn turned the tide in his favor, marking a strong start to his campaign in Oslo.

Meanwhile, Gukesh’s compatriot, R. Praggnanandhaa, also made headlines by defeating American Grandmaster Wesley So in a commanding performance, setting a positive tone for the Indian contingent.

In a surprising twist, French Grandmaster Alireza Firouzja delivered a stunning upset against World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen. Despite battling an ankle injury sustained during the recent Grand Chess Tour in Bucharest, Firouzja played with precision, capitalizing on Carlsen’s critical error under time pressure to secure his first classical victory against the Norwegian superstar.

With this unexpected win, Firouzja now leads the tournament with three points, having dealt Carlsen a rare defeat in classical play.

In the women’s event, Indian Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh made waves by defeating reigning World champion Ju Wenjun in the Armageddon after their classical match ended in a draw. However, fellow Indian player Koneru Humpy faced a setback, falling to Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva, who demonstrated exceptional skill to seize the lead in the tournament.

First Round Results:

• Open: D. Gukesh bt Vincent Keymer (Ger), R. Praggnanandhaa bt Wesley So (USA), Alireza Firouzja (Fra) bt Magnus Carlsen (Nor).
• Women: Bibisara Assaubayeva (Kaz) bt Koneru Humpy, Divya Deshmukh bt Ju Wenjun (China), Anna Muzychuk (Ukr) lost to Zhu Jiner (China).

As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on Gukesh and Firouzja, who have set the stage for an exciting competition in the heart of Norway.