Firouzja Extends Lead in Norway Chess Super-Tournament After Thrilling Round 5
Firouzja Extends Lead at Norway Chess Super-Tournament
Oslo, Norway – Round five of the highly anticipated Norway Chess super-tournament delivered a thrilling spectacle, marking a significant shift in the standings as Alireza Firouzja solidified his position at the top. Following the first rest day, the tournament showcased its most decisive action yet, with two out of three classical games resulting in clear victories.
In a stunning upset, Wesley So, playing with the black pieces, handed world number one Magnus Carlsen his third loss in five rounds. So’s victory came from an Italian Opening, where he capitalized on Carlsen’s time pressure to secure only his second classical win against the reigning champion. “He’s the best in the world by far,” So remarked, reflecting on the challenge of facing Carlsen.
Meanwhile, Gukesh Dommaraju triumphed in an electrifying all-Indian clash against Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu. The game was a rollercoaster of tactical maneuvers, with Gukesh ultimately seizing the win after both players navigated a complex position. “Luckily, the tricks worked out for me,” Gukesh said, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the match.
In the remaining game, Firouzja faced Vincent Keymer. After a drawn classical game, Firouzja triumphed in the Armageddon decider, maintaining his lead in the tournament standings. Despite a slight reduction in his advantage, Firouzja remains 1½ points ahead of So, who now sits in second place. Gukesh’s victory propelled him to third, while Carlsen’s continued struggles have left him at the bottom of the leaderboard.
Standings After Round 5
- Alireza Firouzja (France) – 10 points
- Wesley So (United States) – 8½ points
- Gukesh Dommaraju (India) – 6½ points
- Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu (India) – 6 points
- Vincent Keymer (Germany) – 5 points
- Magnus Carlsen (Norway) – 4½ points
Carlsen’s tournament has been particularly costly, as he has lost 16.4 Elo points, now standing at a live rating of 2825. Despite this setback, he maintains a significant lead over Hikaru Nakamura, who is currently rated at 2792.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Firouzja, who continues to impress with his strategic prowess. With only a few rounds left, the competition is heating up, and the chess world eagerly anticipates the next moves in this high-stakes battle.