Indian Chess Sensation Takes Down Firouzja in Stunning Fashion
Round 7 of the prestigious Norway Chess tournament delivered high drama as Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa crushed French star Alireza Firouzja in a commanding classical game, handing Firouzja his second consecutive classical loss.
Armageddon Thrillers Keep the Tournament Alive
Meanwhile, the day’s Armageddon deciders produced nail-biting finishes. Magnus Carlsen, despite losing the classical game, held his nerve to win Armageddon with black pieces, keeping his tournament hopes alive. Similarly, D Gukesh secured a thrilling Armageddon victory to remain in contention after earlier suffering a classical setback.
In the women’s section, Divya Deshmukh staged a remarkable comeback by defeating Koneru Humpy in an Armageddon tie-break, maintaining her second-place position in the standings.
Standings Take Shape as Leaders Emerge
Despite the Armageddon heroics, Wesley So continues to lead the tournament with a commanding 2½-point advantage over his nearest pursuer. Firouzja’s double classical loss has pushed him further down the leaderboard, while Carlsen and Gukesh remain in the mix after their respective Armageddon triumphs.
What’s Next for Norway Chess?
The tournament remains finely poised with several rounds still to go. Fans can expect more high-stakes battles as players fight to secure top positions in this elite event.
Key Takeaways from Round 7:
- Praggnanandhaa’s dominant win over Firouzja keeps him in contention for a top finish.
- Armageddon thrillers see Carlsen and Gukesh survive and stay in the hunt.
- Divya Deshmukh’s Armageddon victory keeps her in second place in the women’s standings.
- Wesley So maintains a commanding lead despite losing his Armageddon decider.