Gukesh & Praggnanandhaa Triumph in Norway Chess Opener

Norway Chess 2026 kicked off in spectacular fashion with two Indian grandmasters stealing the spotlight. After both R Praggnanandhaa and D Gukesh drew their classical games, they dominated the Armageddon playoffs to secure crucial early points. Praggnanandhaa’s rapid-fire attacks dismantled Wesley So, while Gukesh’s calm defense against Vincent Keymer paved the way for a decisive tie-break win. Elsewhere, Alireza Firouzja produced the result of the round by beating Magnus Carlsen in regulation time. In the women’s event, teenager Divya Deshmukh outplayed world champion Ju Wenjun in the Armageddon phase, and Bibisara Assaubayeva defeated Koneru Humpy. The day underscored India’s rising influence at the highest level of the sport and left spectators eager for more action.