Magnus Carlsen was left fuming after losing to R Praggnanandhaa for the second time in the same tournament. The World No. 1 lost to the Indian GM in Round 8 of the ongoing Norway Chess 2026. Praggnanandhaa clinched victory in 50 moves with black pieces. He had earlier beaten the Norwegian in the third round with white pieces.
Magnus Carlsen once again lost t R Praggnanandhaa. (NorwayChess/Michal Walusza)
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Praggnanandhaa takes on D Gukesh in his next game, and his opponent sits at the bottom of the standings. Praggnanandhaa has registered 12 points, two behind Wesley So (14), who leads the standings. Alireza Firouzja has 13 points and is also battling for the top spot.
Carlsen felt he had defended well, but missed the fact that his opponent's bishop would prove decisive later. After his defeat, he accepted that he missed out on that aspect.
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"All the thoughts I had about this position an hour ago turned out to be wrong. It’s just unbelievably stupid. Once I’ve saved myself, I forget that he can suddenly move the bishop that has been tied down for an eternity. It’s very frustrating, because I felt like I had done a good job of defending myself there," he said.
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"All the thoughts I had about this position an hour ago turned out to be wrong. It’s just unbelievably stupid. Once I’ve saved myself, I forget that he can suddenly move the bishop that has been tied down for an eternity. It’s very frustrating, because I felt like I had done a good job of defending myself there," he said.
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"I think everyone is strong here, it's not just about Magnus. There is also like other strong players. So, you have to do well against everyone. And, I didn't have some good moments early in the tournament, I missed some chances," Praggnanandhaa said.
"I'm happy that I still have a shot at it (title). Yeah, I'm happy to be in the race. Every game is important from here, and yeah, I'm happy that yesterday went well. But that (win against Carlsen) doesn't really mean anything. I still have to give my best in the next two games. So, that's what I'm looking forward to," he added.
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Other than Praggnanandhaa facing Gukesh in Round 9, So takes on Carlsen, and Firouzja will face Vincent Keymer. A win for the Indian GM and setbacks for So and Firouzja could send Praggnanandhaa to the top of the table.
In the women's section, Divya Deshmukh is currently third with 10 points alongside Zhu Jiner. Bibisara Assaubayeva is on top with 15.5 points.
Pairings (Round 9):
Open: Vincent Keymer (GER, 10) vs Alireza Firouzja (FRA, 13); Wesley So (USA, 14) vs Magnus Carlsen (NOR, 9); R Praggnanandhaa (IND, 12) vs D Gukesh (IND, 8).
Women: Divya Deshmukh (IND, 10) vs Zhu Jiner (CHN, 10); Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ, 15.5) vs Anna Muzychuk (UKR, 10.5); Koneru Humpy (IND, 8) vs Ju Wenjun (CHN, 9).
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results.
A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.
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Home/Sports/Others/Magnus Carlsen's frustration spills out after R Praggnanandhaa stuns him again: ‘It's just unbelievably stupid’
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