R. Praggnanandhaa scored a crucial classical victory over world champion D. Gukesh with the black pieces, while Wesley So defeated world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in the Armageddon game, leaving the title race wide open heading into the final round.
In a complex battle, Praggnanandhaa seized control after Gukesh came under pressure in the middlegame and converted his advantage with confidence. The full three points took Praggnanandhaa to 15 points, just half a point behind tournament leader Wesley So.
Wesley So’s classical game against Carlsen ended in a draw after a balanced contest. So then won the Armageddon game to secure the extra points and preserve his lead ahead of the final round.
Alireza Firouzja also remains firmly in contention. After surviving a difficult classical game against Vincent Keymer, Firouzja prevailed in Armageddon to collect the additional points. Keymer held the initiative for long stretches of the classical game, but Firouzja defended resourcefully to keep his title hopes alive.
After Round 9, Wesley So leads Norway Chess with 15.5 points. Praggnanandhaa is second with 15 points, while Firouzja is close behind on 14.5 points.
In the women’s section, Bibisara Assaubayeva secured the Norway Chess Women 2026 title with one round remaining after another important result.
Assaubayeva drew her classical game against Anna Muzychuk. Muzychuk then drew the Armageddon game with the black pieces, winning the decider under Armageddon rules and taking the extra points. Even so, Assaubayeva’s lead at the top became mathematically unassailable.
Zhu Jiner registered the only decisive classical victory in the women’s event, defeating Divya Deshmukh with the black pieces. Zhu maintained the pressure in a tense middlegame and converted her advantage after Divya ran into time trouble, earning three valuable points and moving into second place.
The game between Koneru Humpy and reigning Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun also ended in a classical draw. Ju Wenjun then won the Armageddon game with the black pieces to collect the additional points.
After Round 9, Assaubayeva leads Norway Chess Women with 16.5 points and has already secured the title. Zhu Jiner is second with 13 points, while Anna Muzychuk is third with 12 points.
IANS
