Magnus Carlsen Is Last On The Leaderboard At Norway Chess After Another Loss

Today

00:52

2 min

Thumbnail for article: Magnus Carlsen Is Last On The Leaderboard At Norway Chess After Another Loss

He's the world number-one. He's the GOAT of chess. He's won it seven times... But he collapsed in time trouble.

This is not vintage GM Magnus Carlsen. Not at all.

The world number-one started this year's elite Norway Chess tournament in Oslo as the red-hot hometown favourite. He had, after all, won it seven times. The Norwegian also had several points to prove and was coming off a tournament win at TePe Sigeman in Sweden. There was no reason to doubt him.

But in Round 1 the tournament mainstay lost to an injured GM Alireza Firouzja who—quite literally—had his feet up. In Round 2, Carlsen was held to a draw before eventually prevailing over GM Vincent Keymer in Armageddon.

Firouzja being wheeled to the venue.

Photo: Michal Walusza/Norway Chess.

Now in Round 3 the 35-year-old lost for a second time to Indian star GM Praggnanandhaa R. Carlsen losing in classical chess is rare, but twice in three games—it's unheard of.

Carlsen not only lost, but was outplayed. Wednesday's result has left the five-time World Champion bottom of the leaderboard on 1.5/4.

A shocking return so far for the local hero.

How it played out will trouble him. Praggnanandhaa gradually turned the screw on Carlsen in a long game and appeared to be in control for much of the encounter.

However, the momentum shifted in severe time trouble, where Carlsen
managed to seize the advantage.

In a brief interview afterwards, Carlsen said: "I missed one thing and then I kind of panicked and lost within a few moves."

Not like the (abdicated) champion. But don't write him off yet.

Firouzja Standing Tall

Meanwhile, the reigning World Champion GM Gukesh D and tournament leader Firouzja played a hard-fought classical draw after a tense encounter.

Firouzja later prevailed in the Armageddon game to secure the additional points and maintain his strong start to the tournament.

The remaining classical game between Keymer and GM Wesley So also ended in a draw after a balanced struggle. Wesley So went on to win the Armageddon game, collecting the extra points.

Following Round 3, Firouzja remains at the top of the standings after another successful day.

Round 4 starts on Thursday at 16:00 GMT. You can watch the games with commentary at the Norway Chess website here.