R Praggnanandhaa is keeping his feet on the ground despite his remarkable wins over Magnus Carlsen. The young Indian Grandmaster expressed his excitement about being part of the title race as Norway Chess approaches its final two rounds after a rest day.
After triumphing over Carlsen for the second time in this tournament, Praggnanandhaa has significantly impacted the Norwegian’s title hopes and is now just two points behind the tournament leader, Wesley So. With 12 points, the Chennai player is in second place, while Alireza Firouzja from France is still in contention with 13 points, even as he battles an ankle injury that has left him in a wheelchair.
With two rounds left, the competition for the title is intense. A win in the upcoming round could potentially elevate Praggnanandhaa to the top spot, placing him in a strong position to clinch the title on the final day.
However, the 20-year-old knows that defeating Carlsen is just part of the challenge. “Everyone here is strong,” he said during his break. “It’s not just about Magnus; there are many other formidable players. I have to perform well against all of them, and I’ve missed some chances earlier in the tournament.”
Taking a moment to reflect on his wins against the world No. 1, Praggnanandhaa remains focused on the challenges ahead. “I’m glad I still have a chance at the title. Every game from here on is crucial, and while I’m happy about yesterday, I know I need to stay sharp for the next two games.”
Next, he will face his fellow Indian, D Gukesh, in what promises to be an intriguing match. Though Gukesh’s title chances have faded, he will be eager to finish strong. With little to lose, he could impact Praggnanandhaa’s chances significantly in the penultimate round.
The matchup between Wesley So and Carlsen could also be pivotal. A loss for So would tighten the race, potentially enabling Praggnanandhaa to make a major leap before the final round.
Meanwhile, Firouzja is still competing despite his injury struggles, and Germany’s Vincent Keymer, with 10 points, is also hoping to break into the title race.
In the women’s tournament, Divya Deshmukh is still holding on to her slim title hopes. She shares third place with China’s Zhu Jiner, both at 10 points. However, Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva is leading with a strong 15.5 points.
Defending champion Anna Muzychuk has 10.5 points, still mathematically in contention, but Assaubayeva’s dominant performance has put her in a commanding position as the tournament nears its conclusion.
The excitement is building as the competition approaches its climax.
