Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa’s Stellar Performance Puts Him in Contention for Norway Chess Crown

Praggnanandhaa Shines Bright at Norway Chess, Eyes Title on Final Day

NEW DELHI: Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa has emerged as a formidable contender at this year’s Norway Chess tournament, showcasing his exceptional talent by outsmarting renowned opponents Alireza Firouzja, Magnus Carlsen, and Dommaraju Gukesh in three consecutive classical matches. The 20-year-old prodigy’s impressive performance has positioned him as a serious contender for the coveted Norway Chess crown.

As the tournament unfolds in Oslo, the women’s section has already crowned Bibisara Assaubayeva, who secured the title after a draw against Anna Muzychuk in Round 9. However, the open section remains fiercely competitive, with Praggnanandhaa, Firouzja, and current leader Wesley So all vying for the top spot as the tournament approaches its climax.

The highlight of the day was a highly anticipated rematch between Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh, who faced off at the iconic Deichman Bjørvika public library. This time, Gukesh, playing with the White pieces, opened aggressively with a Nimzo-Indian Sämisch setup. However, Praggnanandhaa’s strategic counterplay quickly turned the tide. A pivotal moment occurred when his knight made a daring journey to a1, capturing material and forcing Gukesh to expend valuable time on the attack.

Despite Gukesh generating a dangerous initiative, Praggnanandhaa’s defensive prowess shone through. As the game progressed, the balance shifted in favor of the Chennai-born talent, leading Gukesh to resign after 34 moves, marking a significant revenge for his earlier defeat in Round 5.

With this victory, Praggnanandhaa has narrowed the gap to tournament leader Wesley So to just 0.5 points, setting the stage for an exciting final day where he will face Germany’s Vincent Keymer, who remains undefeated in classical play throughout the tournament. Praggnanandhaa will be aiming for a fourth consecutive win while hoping for a favorable outcome in the So vs. Firouzja matchup.

Elsewhere in the Tournament: Challenges for Indian Contingent

While Praggnanandhaa’s star continues to rise, the rest of the Indian contingent faced a challenging day. Divya Deshmukh, who once led the women’s section, suffered a tough defeat against China’s Zhu Jiner. Despite Bibisara Assaubayeva already clinching the title, Deshmukh’s loss capped off a difficult tournament for the Indian players, with Koneru Humpy also falling short in her Armageddon game against Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun.

In the open section, local hero Magnus Carlsen faced another setback, losing in an Armageddon tie-break to Wesley So, while Firouzja secured a win over Keymer. As the tournament heads into its final day, all eyes will be on the thrilling clashes that could determine the ultimate champion.

With the stakes higher than ever, Praggnanandhaa’s journey at Norway Chess is a testament to his skill and determination, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what the final day will bring.