- Magnus Carlsen secured his first classical win of Norway Chess 2026 by defeating World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju in round four
- Alireza Firouzja remains tournament leader despite losing to Wesley So in armageddon
- In the women’s tournament, Bibisara Assaubayeva extended her lead with a victory over Ju Wenjun in armageddon
- Carlsen’s win came a year after their controversial 2025 encounter that ended with a table slam
Carlsen Claims Redemption Against Gukesh
World number-one Magnus Carlsen secured his first classical victory of Norway Chess 2026 by defeating World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju in round four. The win proved particularly significant given the dramatic circumstances of their meeting at the same tournament in 2025, when Carlsen famously slammed the table in frustration after losing with the black pieces.
Carlsen’s triumph lifted him from last place into fourth position overall, while Gukesh fell to the bottom of the standings. Despite the disappointment, the young champion remains within reach of the podium places heading into the rest day.
Carlsen’s Path to Victory
Playing with the black pieces once again, Carlsen entered the game in a difficult position. His first three rounds had produced two classical losses, leaving him with limited expectations. However, he proved his resilience with an assured performance that showcased both tactical awareness and composure under pressure.
The critical moment came early when Carlsen surprised even himself with 6…Qd6!?, a move that caught both his opponent and his coach, GM Peter Heine Nielsen, off guard. Later, when Gukesh responded with 9.Nb5, Carlsen admitted the move came as an unwelcome surprise that forced him into time trouble—a scenario that might have derailed him in previous rounds.
Rather than succumbing to the pressure, Carlsen “embraced chaos,” according to GM David Howell’s commentary on the live broadcast. The crucial breakthrough came with 28…f4!, a pawn advance that Gukesh found nearly impossible to counter effectively. After missing the only adequate defensive try on the following move, Gukesh’s position crumbled, and he resigned on move 42.
Tournament Standing: Men’s Division
Despite his loss to Carlsen, Gukesh was not the only classical loser in round four. The dramatic turnaround in standings left Alireza Firouzja still holding the sole lead, though his margin narrowed considerably. Firouzja suffered a loss to GM Wesley So in armageddon but retained his top position.
GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu secured sole second place after defeating GM Vincent Keymer in armageddon, demonstrating strong form despite an unfavorable classical game where he held the advantage for much of the encounter.
Women’s Tournament: Assaubayeva Strengthens Position
In the women’s division, all three classical games in round four ended in draws, though the matches remained competitive and interesting throughout. GM Bibisara Assaubayeva extended her lead with seven points following an armageddon victory over Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun.
Close behind Assaubayeva are three players tied at five and a half points: GMs Anna Muzychuk and Zhu Jiner, both of whom won their armageddon encounters, along with GM Divya Deshmukh. Despite an unforced error where she left her queen hanging, Deshmukh suffered an armageddon loss yet maintained her competitive standing.
Ju Wenjun sits in fifth place with four points, while GM Koneru Humpy currently occupies the bottom position with three points.
Looking Ahead
Both tournaments will resume on Saturday, May 30, at 11 a.m. ET / 17:00 CEST / 8:30 p.m. IST, following a rest day that gives players an opportunity to recover and prepare for the second half of the competition.