Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa achieved a milestone by defeating World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in classical chess for the first time in his career. The 18-year-old Indian secured the top spot in the Norway Chess 2024 tournament, held in Stavanger, by winning this crucial third-round match on May 29. Playing with white pieces, Praggnanandhaa overcame Carlsen on his home turf, marking a significant moment in his chess career.

Praggnanandhaa’s victory propelled him to a leading score of 5.5 out of 9 points in the tournament. American Grandmaster Fabio Caruana followed closely, securing the second position after a decisive win over GM Ding Liren. This victory highlights the young Indian prodigy’s remarkable skill and composure under pressure, especially against a formidable opponent like Carlsen.

Notably, R Praggnanandhaa’s sister, R Vaishali, also shone in the tournament, maintaining her lead in the women’s section of Norway Chess. Her consistent performance underscores the significant presence of the Praggnanandhaa siblings in the chess world.

Magnus Carlsen, after an audacious opening move against Praggnanandhaa, fell to fifth place in the standings. Despite the challenging game, Praggnanandhaa maintained his composure and emerged victorious, underscoring his growing prowess in classical chess. This win is particularly momentous for Praggnanandhaa, who had previously lost to Carlsen in the World Cup final last year.

In another notable match, GM Hikaru Nakamura defeated GM Alireza Firouzja in an Armageddon tiebreaker, retaining the third spot in the standings. Meanwhile, Ding Liren struggled, positioned at the bottom with 2.5 points after three rounds. This tournament has seen significant shifts in rankings, highlighting the competitive nature of the event.

The Norway Chess tournament, offering USD 160,000 in prize money for both the Open and Women’s sections, features six players competing in classical chess from May 27 to June 7. The event has garnered attention for its high stakes and the participation of top chess talents from around the world.

R Vaishali continued her impressive performance by defeating compatriot Koneru Humpy to take the lead in the women’s section. On the following day, Vaishali held GM Anna Muzychuk to a draw, retaining her sole lead position. Her success in this tournament emphasizes the exceptional chess talent emerging from India.

The current standings in the Norway Chess tournament are as follows:
Open Section:
1. R Praggnanandhaa – 5.5
2. Fabio Caruana – 5
3. Hikaru Nakamura – 4
4. Alireza Firouzja – 3.5
5. Magnus Carlsen – 3
6. Ding Liren – 2.5

Women’s Section:
1. R Vaishali – 5.5
2. Ju Wenjun – 4.5
3. Lei Tingjie – 4
4. Pia Cramling – 3
5. Koneru Humpy – 3
6. Anna Muzychuk – 3

This year’s Norway Chess tournament has been a remarkable display of skill and strategy, with young talents like Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali making significant strides on the global stage. Their achievements not only highlight their individual prowess but also underscore the rising prominence of Indian chess on the world stage.

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