Pragg Beats Carlsen Again, Creates History OSLO: On June 2, 2026, 20-year-old Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa delivered another stunning victory over world champion Magnus Carlsen, this time with the black pieces, in a dramatic Classical chess match at the Norway Chess tournament. The win marked Pragg’s second consecutive triumph over Carlsen in the same event, cementing his place among an elite group of players who have defeated the Norwegian five-time world champion three times in Classical format. The match unfolded on a chilly afternoon in Oslo, with the tension palpable as Pragg, known for his aggressive style, once again outmaneuvered the 35-year-old Carlsen. The match began with Carlsen appearing unusually subdued, admitting in a pre-round interview that he was “feeling shit.” This sentiment proved prescient as Pragg executed a masterclass in precision. After 47 moves, the position was balanced, but Pragg’s sharp eye spotted a critical blunder by Carlsen. When Carlsen moved his king to f4 with just 44 seconds remaining on his clock, Pragg immediately found the winning move—48. Qd4—forcing a forced checkmate. Carlsen’s body language betrayed his realization of defeat as he fumbled with his king, unable to escape the inevitable. This victory propelled Pragg to third place in the tournament standings, with two rounds remaining. However, the day’s disappointment extended to world champion D Gukesh, who lost again to Alireza Firouzja in a wild, unpredictable game. Carlsen, now facing his fourth Classical loss in eight rounds, will hope this setback is not the start of a longer decline. The results underscore the growing dominance of Indian players at Norway Chess, where Pragg and Gukesh have become central figures.#magnus_carlsen #alireza_firouzja #norway_chess #pragg #carlsen
