R Praggnanandhaa has made an incredible double to clinch the opportunity to play twice the world top Chess Olympian Magnus Carlsen at the Norway Chess 2026 tournament at the prestigious venue in Norway. Played at Carlsen’s “home base” in Norway, the victory is remarkable as the World Champion has enjoyed success in the competition on his own “home turf” in the past.
The 20-year-old Grand Master took his second win against Carlsen when the Norwegian star gave up in the rare endgame on round eight. Carlsen seemed to be in command on the white side for much of the game, but then made a costly error which gave Praggnanandhaa the opening to take control and turn it into a show-stopping victory. The remarkable Indian teenager had earlier in this game shocked Carlsen with a mastery of a challenging endgame, played in black.
Carlsen’s 2011 was an easy year, and his 2841 classical rating, which is a huge plus, is an unusual one. The Norwegian has missed the four matches he needed to win and Wesley So, Praggnanandhaa and Alireza Firouzja are the only ones to have won against him in the event.
D Gukesh, reigning world champion, will also be part of the six player tournament. Both Carlsen and Gukesh finished in the bottom half after 8 games and Praggnanandhaa had continued to impress, firmly establishing his place as one of the learners in the world of chess. The young Indian is still one of the top players in the tournament as two stages are left in the competition.