Pragg’s Impressive Comeback at Norway Chess Super-Tournament
Pragg Bounces Back in Style at Norway Chess Super-Tournament
Stavanger, Norway – In a thrilling round seven of the Norway Chess super-tournament, young Indian grandmaster Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu showcased his resilience, bouncing back from two consecutive defeats to secure a stunning victory over Alireza Firouzja. Meanwhile, Wesley So maintained his commanding lead, extending his advantage to 2½ points at the top of the standings.
So, the tournament leader, faced a challenging match against reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju. After a hard-fought classical game that ended in a draw, So succumbed to Gukesh in the Armageddon tiebreaker, marking a rare slip for the American grandmaster. Despite the setback, So remains firmly in control of the tournament.
Firouzja, who had been leading the tournament in its early stages, suffered his second consecutive classical defeat, this time at the hands of the determined Praggnanandhaa. The Indian prodigy, who had been reeling from earlier losses, found his footing and delivered a masterclass performance, decisively winning the game with a brilliant tactical move: 35.Ra1! This pivotal moment not only shifted the momentum in his favor but also allowed him to convert his advantage into a full three points.
In another notable matchup, Magnus Carlsen faced Vincent Keymer, employing the King’s Indian Defence. The classical game concluded in a well-fought draw after 57 moves, with Carlsen managing to simplify the position in the tiebreaker, securing the half-point he needed.
With only three rounds remaining, So leads the standings with 12½ points, followed by Firouzja at 10 points. Carlsen, Keymer, and Praggnanandhaa are all tied at 9 points, while Gukesh sits at the bottom with 8 points.
Round 7 Results:
- Praggnanandhaa R. 3 – 0 Alireza Firouzja
- Gukesh Dommaraju 1½ – 1 Wesley So
- Vincent Keymer 1 – 1½ Magnus Carlsen
Standings After Round 7:
- Wesley So (USA) – 12½ points
- Alireza Firouzja (France) – 10 points
- Magnus Carlsen (Norway) – 9 points
- Vincent Keymer (Germany) – 9 points
- Praggnanandhaa R. (India) – 9 points
- Gukesh Dommaraju (India) – 8 points
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the upcoming round eight, where So will face Keymer and Firouzja will take on Gukesh. With the stakes higher than ever, the excitement is palpable as players vie for supremacy in one of the most prestigious chess tournaments in the world.