Praggnanandhaa Creates History with Second Classical Win Over Carlsen

Indian chess star R Praggnanandhaa delivered another remarkable performance at the prestigious Norway Chess 2026, defeating world number one Magnus Carlsen for the second time in the tournament. The victory marked a historic achievement, as Praggnanandhaa became the first player to beat Carlsen twice in classical games during the same elite event.

The eighth round clash in Oslo witnessed a highly competitive battle, with Praggnanandhaa playing with the black pieces. The Indian Grandmaster maintained control throughout the game and capitalized on a crucial mistake from Carlsen in the final phase. After 50 moves, he sealed a memorable victory that further enhanced his growing reputation on the global chess stage.

This was not the first time Praggnanandhaa had troubled the Norwegian legend in the tournament. He had already secured a classical victory over Carlsen in the third round, making his latest success even more significant. Achieving two classical wins against one of the greatest players in chess history within a single tournament is considered a rare milestone.

The result also had a major impact on the championship standings. Praggnanandhaa moved to 12 points and remained firmly in contention for the title with only two rounds left to be played. In Norway Chess, a classical game victory earns three points, making every win extremely valuable in the race for the championship.

With the tournament entering its final stages, the title battle has become increasingly intense. American Grandmaster Wesley So currently leads the standings with 14 points, while Praggnanandhaa remains close behind and continues to apply pressure. The Indian youngster now has a genuine opportunity to challenge for one of the biggest titles of his career.