Praggnanandhaa Defeats Gukesh to Stay in Norway Chess Title Hunt

Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa boosted his chances of winning the prestigious Norway Chess 2026 tournament after securing a crucial classical victory over reigning world champion D. Gukesh in Round 9, setting up a dramatic final-day battle for the title.
The win carried added significance for Praggnanandhaa, who avenged an earlier defeat to Gukesh in the tournament and collected three full points from the classical game. The result lifted the 20-year-old into sole second place in the standings with 15 points, just half a point behind tournament leader Wesley So of the United States heading into the final round.
Praggnanandhaa capitalised on a critical mistake by Gukesh in the middlegame, gradually converting his advantage into a winning position. The victory marked his third consecutive classical triumph against elite opposition, following impressive wins over French Grandmaster Alireza Firouzja and world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen earlier in the event.
With one round remaining, the race for the Norway Chess crown remains wide open. Wesley So continues to lead the standings on 15.5 points, while Praggnanandhaa and Firouzja remain firmly in contention. The final round is expected to determine whether Praggnanandhaa can become the first Indian player to win the prestigious tournament.
For Gukesh, the defeat was another setback in a difficult campaign. The world champion has struggled for consistency throughout the competition and now faces the prospect of finishing near the bottom of the standings. His final-round performance will be crucial in determining his overall position in the tournament.
The tournament has already produced several surprises, including Carlsen’s struggles on home soil and the strong performances of emerging stars. As the championship enters its final day, all eyes will be on Praggnanandhaa as he attempts to complete a remarkable title challenge in one of the strongest events on the global chess calendar.