Round 7 of Norway Chess 2026 was crucial for Indian players, showcasing significant performances in both Open and Women’s events. R Praggnanandhaa, D Gukesh, and Divya Deshmukh all achieved significan wins.
Round 7 of Norway Chess 2026 proved to be a pivotal day for the Indian contingent, as three of the biggest stars kept themselves in the hunt for the title after some gruelling action in Oslo. R Praggnanandhaa breathed fresh life into his title hopes with a monumental classical victory, while World Champion D Gukesh and Divya Deshmukh showcased immense composure to secure vital sudden-death triumphs. These wins have have had significant impact on the standings, with the the tournament now reaching its business end.
R Praggnanandhaa Secures Massive Win
R Praggnanandhaa delivered the standout performance of Round 7 by defeating Alireza Firouzja in the classical round itself. Navigating a prolonged and complex struggle, Praggnanandhaa eventually outplayed Firouzja with confidence as he secured the full three points.
The victory was a massive boost to his campaign as it catapulted his score to 9 points. He has now elevated himself from the bottom of the table to third place, and is right back in the hunt for the title.
D Gukesh Topples Standings Leader In Sudden Death
World Champion D Gukesh had a successful outing against the current Norway Chess leader, Wesley So. Their tense classical encounter ended in a hard-fought draw. In the sudden death Armageddon game, the Indian grandmaster stepped up and had the last laugh. He claimed the victory with a brave queenside pawn grab, successfully taking the extra tie-break points off the American star.
Despite this resilient win against the frontrunner, Gukesh currently sits in last place with 8 points
Divya Deshmukh Wins All-Indian Clash
The Women’s tournament featured an exciting all-Indian matchup between Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh. The two compatriots fought to a tense draw in their classical game, sending the match to an Armageddon decider. Playing with the black pieces, Divya found her footing and triumphed in the tiebreaker, while Humpy was forced to settle for a single point from the classical draw.