NEW DELHI: If you turn the pages of an English dictionary to find the meaning of the word "cliché", it will tell you that a cliché is nothing but a phrase or an idea that has been so overused that it no longer holds its original meaning. At the 14th edition of Norway Chess in Oslo, the feeling of shock and disappointment associated with a defeat faced by
Magnus Carlsen has become a bit of a cliché. The result itself doesn't really yield that feeling of shock or disappointment anymore.
On Tuesday in Round 8 of the tournament, when Indian Grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa took down the local hero for the second consecutive time in two weeks in classical chess, it felt as if all the World No. 1 and five-time World Champion needed at that moment was a place to hide his face.
In a game that began with the clear intention of seeking revenge for his previous defeat, Carlsen, playing with the white pieces, suffered his fourth loss in classical games in this tournament. Thanks to this drastically appalling run of form, the 35-year-old now stands second-to-last with nine points.
Over the board, in a sharp French Defence, Praggnanandhaa, playing Black, accepted structural damage early but gained active piece play and central control. Carlsen’s kingside safety became a recurring issue after 14.Kf1. Black gradually coordinated his rooks, bishops, and queen to seize the initiative, winning key exchanges and maintaining relentless pressure.
Despite Carlsen’s long resistance, Pragg converted his activity into a dominant endgame attack, forcing Carlsen to blunder with 48.Kf4. The game lasted 50 moves as the Indian Grandmaster stayed firmly in contention for the Norway Chess crown, with rounds still remaining.
"It's more important for the tournament that I get this win than thinking that it's Magnus. Of course, it's great to do it against Magnus, but I think winning any game at this stage of the tournament is good," said the 20-year-old, who currently stands second with 12 points.
Gukesh and Divya Deshmukh face classical defeats
The reigning world champion, much like Carlsen, has not managed to produce his best chess in this tournament, leading to another classical loss, this time against Grandmaster Alireza Firouzja. In a game that lasted 61 moves, Gukesh, playing with the black pieces, was completely outfoxed after forgetting his prep.
In the Ragozin Defence, Gukesh’s ambitious kingside expansion (8...g5, 10...h5) created an imbalance but left long-term weaknesses.
"I came up with this new 7...Bf5, but I think he reacted in the best way possible, and I just forgot my prep, and I'm pretty sure I mixed up something," Gukesh admitted later.
Alireza exploited the tactical opportunities and won a pawn with 12.Qxb7. After simplifying into rook endgames, he steadily improved his king activity and piece placement.
Gukesh’s counterplay faded as Alireza’s active rook and dangerous g-pawn generated decisive threats, converting the advantage into a well-controlled classical victory.
With this win, Alireza stays second with 13 points, trailing only tournament leader Wesley So, who is at 14. Gukesh, however, remains last with only eight points.
In the women's section, Divya Deshmukh underwent a similarly damning experience to Gukesh, as the women's section tournament leader, Bibisara Assaubayeva, earned a classical win over the Indian.
Following a Closed Sicilian, Divya built early queenside pressure and won material, earning herself an advantageous position in the middlegame. However, Bibisara remained highly active. The game completely turned after Black’s central break with 35...e4 and the powerful advance 39...e3, which opened up lines against White’s king.
Bibisara played energetically, coordinating her queen, rook, and bishop into a direct attack. White’s pieces became completely tied down defensively, and Black’s initiative culminated in a decisive kingside assault, earning a remarkable classical victory for the Kazakhstani Grandmaster, who now continues to lead the tournament with 15.5 points.
On the other hand, Divya, who was second before this game, dropped down to third with 10 points.
Elsewhere: Koneru Humpy picks up Armageddon win, Wesley So keeps his lead intact
Koneru Humpy, who has struggled with her chess in this tournament, drew her classical game against Anna Muzychuk before going on to draw with Black and clinch the victory in the Armageddon tie-break. Meanwhile, China's Zhu Jiner completed a decisive classical victory over her compatriot and Women's World Champion, Ju Wenjun.
In the open section, the day's only Armageddon came in the matchup between So and Vincent Keymer, where So secured the win to stay one point clear at the top of the table.
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