Oslo, June 2: The seventh round of Norway Chess 2026 showcased thrilling matches. Indian Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu triumphed over Alireza Firouzja in a classical game, while reigning World Champion D. Gukesh secured extra points by defeating Wesley So in an Armageddon match.
Praggnanandhaa achieved victory after a lengthy struggle against Firouzja. His confidence and precise strategy transformed his lead into a win. This defeat marked Firouzja’s second classical loss in the tournament, intensifying the race for the top spot.
The classical match between Gukesh and Wesley So was highly tense, ultimately ending in a draw. However, in the subsequent Armageddon match, Gukesh clinched victory, earning additional points.
Meanwhile, the classical game between World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen and Vincent Keymer also ended in a draw. Carlsen then won in Armageddon, securing extra points to remain in contention among the top players.
After the seventh round, Wesley So leads the tournament with 12.5 points. Alireza Firouzja follows in second place with 10 points, while Magnus Carlsen, Vincent Keymer, and Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu are tied behind them with 9 points each.
In the women’s category, the classical match between Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh was thrilling, concluding in a draw. However, in the subsequent Armageddon match, Divya, playing with black pieces, emerged victorious. This win bolstered her position in the standings, making her a close contender to Bibisara Assaubayeva.
The day’s standout result in the women’s section was achieved by Bibisara Assaubayeva. She won her classical match, strengthening her lead. Playing with white pieces, she navigated a challenging middlegame against Zhu Jiner, gradually gaining an advantage and converting it into a victory. This win earned her three crucial points, significantly enhancing her standing as the tournament approaches its final stages.
The classical match between reigning Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun and Anna Muzychuk also ended in a draw. However, Muzychuk won the Armageddon match against Ju Wenjun, securing extra points and keeping her close to the top players.
After the seventh round, Bibisara Assaubayeva leads the women’s section with 12.5 points. Divya Deshmukh is in second place with 10 points, while Anna Muzychuk holds third place with 9.5 points.
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