Chess Drama Unfolds at Norway Chess: Praggnanandhaa’s Rollercoaster Ride and Carlsen’s Lucky Escape

The Norway Chess tournament witnessed some intense and dramatic moments in Round 4, showcasing the cruel nature of the game of chess. After a stunning victory over Magnus Carlsen in the previous round, 18-year-old Praggnanandhaa faced a defeat at the hands of World No 3 Hikaru Nakamura. Despite putting up a strong fight, Pragg eventually resigned after 86 moves, realizing he had walked into a checkmate.

What added to the intrigue was Nakamura’s frequent visits to the confessional booth during the game, where he expressed his boredom and desire to be elsewhere. On the other hand, Pragg’s visit to the confessional booth revealed his realization of a critical missed move, showcasing the mental and strategic challenges faced by players at the highest level.

In the women’s section, Vaishali secured her second consecutive win, establishing herself as a leader going into the first rest day of the tournament.

The spotlight was also on the highly anticipated match between Carlsen and Caruana, with Carlsen managing to secure a victory despite a blunder from Caruana towards the end of the game. Carlsen’s position as the world No 1 remains secure, with a significant gap between him and Caruana on the points table.

In another surprising turn of events, reigning world champion Ding Liren suffered a resounding defeat at the hands of Alireza Firouzja, marking his second consecutive loss in the tournament. The Chinese champion expressed his hope to avoid finishing last at the Norway Chess event, highlighting the competitive nature of the tournament.

As Round 5 approaches, the players gear up for more intense battles on the chessboard, with the tournament poised to deliver more thrilling moments and unexpected outcomes.