Norway Chess 2026: Praggnanandhaa Defeats Magnus Carlsen in Wild Round 3 Clash

by Devansh Singh - 28/05/2026

Praggnanandhaa defeated World No.1, Magnus Carlsen, in the 3rd round of Norway Chess. It was a wild game in which both players missed chances, but Praggnanandhaa emerged victorious. This is Pragg's 2nd classical victory over Magnus Carlsen. In 2024, he defeated Magnus in the 12th edition of Norway Chess. Alireza Firouzja kept his winning run going as he defeated D Gukesh in a crazy Armageddon game. Divya Deshmukh is showing her class, and she scored her 3rd consecutive win in the Armageddon game. This time, she defeated the tournament leader Bibisara Assaubayeva. The 4th round will start on 28th May at 5:30CEST/8:30 PM IST. Photo: Michal Walusza / Norway Chess

Trickster?

In the game between Praggnanandhaa and Carlsen, Pragg got an early opening advantage but failed to convert it smoothly. Magnus had his chances too, but now both players were under serious time pressure, and Praggnanandhaa blew the last punch and won the game in a very imbalanced position.

Visible frustration on Magnus's face

Can you find the best defensive resource for black?

Check out the games

Now we bring you the action of this round!

Praggnanandhaa vs Magnus Carlsen (3-0)

This was the second time Praggnandhaa won against Carlsen at Norway Chess. The game started with Magnus opting to play the Sicilian Najdorf, and Pragg got a better position out of the opening. Check out what happened in the game...

Let the game begin

Pragg got a great position in the opening after Magnus sacrificed the exchange

Focused as always

Position after 44.Kg7

This was Carlsen's final error. Can you find the winning move from the white side?

Check out the final moments

The final handshake

Check out the game along with commentary by IM Sagar Shah.

After drawing the classical game, Alireza drew in the Armageddon game and sealed the victory

Wesley So defeated Vincent Keymer in the Armageddon game

Standings after the 3rd round | Graphic: Norway Chess

Replay the Games of Round 3

Norway Chess Women

Divya Deshmukh secured her 3rd consecutive Armageddon win. She defeated Bibisara Assaubayeva in the 3rd round. In rounds 2 and 3, all classical games ended in a draw, and the result came in the Armageddon game.

Divya found a nice repetition against Bibisara to draw the game with black pieces and seal the victory

Zhu Jiner drew against Ju Wenjun in the Armageddon game

Anna Muzychuk defeated Koneru Humpy in the Armageddon game

Can you find what Humpy missed?

Standings after the 3rd round | Graphic: Norway Chess

Replay the Games of Round 3

Round 3 Results | Graphic: Norway Chess

Pairings

Pairings | Graphic: Norway Chess

Photo Gallery: ChessBase India, Norway Chess

Can you spot our Creative Head??

Keep Solving

Get your goodies

Happy second!! Vaibhav Suri

Gukesh with his coach, Gajewski Grzegorz

Video Gallery: Here

After Pragg's wild win over Magnus Carlsen in Round 3 of Norway Chess 2026, we caught up with Pragg's second, GM Vaibhav Suri, for his reactions!

Check out Pragg's raw feelings and analysis just after the game.

Live Stream

Watch the live stream of this round

Lineup

Men: Magnus Carlsen, Vincent Keymer, Wesley So, Alireza Firouzja, R Praggnanandhaa, and D Gukesh

Women: Zhu Jiner, Koneru Humpy, Bibisara Assaubayeva, Ju Wenjun, Anna Muzychuk, and Divya Deshmukh

Note: Alireza Firouzja was not present at the photoshoot because of his ankle injury | Photos: Michal Walusza / Norway Chess

Watch the opening ceremony of the Norway Chess 2026 as the best chess players in the world assemble for day one.

Venue: Deichman Bjørvika, Oslo!

Photo: Erik Thallaug

Schedule

Timings are 5 pm local time and 8:30 pm IST

Format

6 players will take part in the Tournament. The Tournament is a double-round event with Armageddon in case of a tie. The Tournament consists of 10 rounds. Berger tables will be used for the pairings. Drawing of lots will be done at the Technical Meeting. The default time is 15 minutes.

Time Control

Each player will have 120 minutes on the clock with an increment of 10 seconds starting from move 41. The time control for the Armageddon game: white has 10 minutes, and black has 7 minutes with an increment for both players of 1 second per move, starting from move 41.

Draw by Mutual Agreement

Players are not allowed to agree to a draw until at least 30 moves have been made by each player. This rule does not apply to Armageddon games.

Armageddon

If the classical game is drawn, an Armageddon game will be played. It shall start within 20 minutes of the conclusion of the classical game. The player with White pieces will continue with White in Armageddon. If the Armageddon game is drawn, black will win.