Divya Deshmukh defeated her compatriot Koneru Humpy in the seventh round of the Norway Chess Championship. Photo: Special Arrangement
Moments of brilliance and below-par efforts — it has been the story of the Indian players’ performances in the ongoing Norway Chess 2026 at Deichman Bjorvika here.On Monday, Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa inflicted a second straight defeat on Alireza Firouzja in the classical game in the seventh round, coming up with an impressive show. Playing with white pieces, he worked his way to an advantageous position and with the Frenchman under time pressure, couldn’t withstand the attack and succumbed in 51 moves to hand his opponent three points.
D. Gukesh in action against Wesley So at the Norway Chess Championship. Photo: Special Arrangement
So (12.5 points) continues to top the leaderboard despite the loss with the second-placed Firouzja 2.5 points behind.World champion D. Gukesh, the other Indian in the fray, pulled off a win in the Armageddon against Wesley So after missing an opportunity to score in the classical.World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen and Vincent Keymer played out a hard-fought classical draw in which neither player could break through. Carlsen later prevailed in the Armageddon game to secure the extra points and remain within striking distance of the leaders.
