Indian chess players R Praggnanandhaa and Divya Deshmukh both secured victories during round seven of the Norway Chess 2026 tournament in Oslo [1, 2].
These wins allow both players to rebound from a difficult previous round and improve their standings in the open and women's sections as they seek to revive their title hopes [1, 3].
Praggnanandhaa defeated Alireza Firouzja in a classical game that lasted 51 moves [2]. Following the victory, Praggnanandhaa collected three full points [2]. Reflecting on his approach to the game, Praggnanandhaa said, "Just close your eyes and make moves" [2].
In the women's section, Divya Deshmukh faced Koneru Humpy. Deshmukh won the match after an Armageddon tie-break [1, 3]. While reports differ on her exact ranking—with one source stating she stormed into the lead [3] and another stating she remained in second place [1]—the victory significantly strengthens her position in the leaderboard.
The tournament continues in Oslo, where other top competitors, including Magnus Carlsen and Gukesh, have shared bottom spots despite recording wins [1].
“"Just close your eyes and make moves"”
The simultaneous resurgence of two top Indian players in a prestigious event like Norway Chess highlights India's growing dominance in global chess. By overcoming high-tier opponents like Firouzja and Humpy, Praggnanandhaa and Deshmukh demonstrate the mental resilience required to maintain title contention in a grueling tournament format.
