High Drama Unfolds at Norway Chess 2026: Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh Shine, Firouzja Upsets Carlsen
High Drama Unfolds at Norway Chess 2026 in Oslo
Oslo, May 26: The much-anticipated Norway Chess 2026 kicked off with a bang in Oslo, as Indian chess prodigies R Praggnanandhaa and World Champion D Gukesh showcased their mettle with thrilling Armageddon victories following intense classical matches.
Praggnanandhaa, facing off against American Grandmaster Wesley So, engaged in a balanced classical game that ended in a draw after a fierce battle. However, the young Indian star shifted gears in the Armageddon tiebreaker, delivering an aggressive and sharp attacking display that secured him the crucial bonus points.
In another electrifying encounter, Gukesh found himself in a strategic duel against Germany’s Vincent Keymer. The reigning world champion faced a daunting endgame where Keymer appeared poised for victory. Yet, Gukesh demonstrated remarkable defensive resilience, managing to hold the game to a draw. Riding the wave of momentum into the Armageddon, he turned the tables on Keymer, clinching the tiebreak win.
The day’s biggest shock came when French Grandmaster Alireza Firouzja delivered a stunning upset by defeating World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in classical chess. Carlsen, who seemed in control for much of the game, fell victim to severe time pressure, leading to a critical mistake that Firouzja capitalized on, marking a rare defeat for the Norwegian superstar on home soil.
In the Women’s tournament, reigning Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun faced India’s Divya Deshmukh in a tense classical match that ended in a draw, despite Ju pressing for a win. However, Deshmukh showcased her prowess in the Armageddon tiebreak, emerging victorious to claim the additional points.
Kazakh player Bibisara Assaubayeva made headlines by defeating Indian No. 1 Koneru Humpy in classical chess. Assaubayeva navigated the middlegame complications with confidence, converting her advantage with precision to secure a memorable victory.
In another matchup, Anna Muzychuk and Zhu Jiner drew their classical encounter, but Zhu triumphed in the Armageddon tiebreak to earn the extra points.
As Round 1 concluded, Firouzja leads the open section with the only classical win of the day, while Assaubayeva sits atop the women’s standings, setting the stage for an exciting tournament ahead.
Stay tuned for more updates as the world’s chess elite battle it out in Oslo!
–IANS