The Norway Chess 2026 tournament continues to intensify, as GM Wesley So has claimed the lead following a dramatic sixth round. The round featured several decisive games, altering the standings considerably.
Wesley So Takes Charge
GM Wesley So emerged victorious against GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, inflicting a second consecutive defeat. With this win, So’s performance has surged, marking him as the new leader of the tournament.
Meanwhile, GM Magnus Carlsen rebounded from previous losses, defeating GM Alireza Firouzja, who had held the lead earlier. GM Vincent Keymer also celebrated his first win of the event by overcoming World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju, landing in third place.
Round Six Overview
Round six heralded the start of the second half of the tournament, with players facing each other again but with colors reversed. Despite the losses, Firouzja and Divya Deshmukh remain within striking distance of the leading players.
- Wesley So defeated Praggnanandhaa
- Magnus Carlsen beat Alireza Firouzja
- Vincent Keymer won against Gukesh Dommaraju
Women’s Tournament Changes
In the Women’s division, dramatic shifts occurred as GM Bibisara Assaubayeva regained the top spot by defeating GM Koneru Humpy in an armageddon format battle. Ju Wenjun stunned GM Divya Deshmukh in a classical game, which allowed Assaubayeva to reclaim the lead.
Divya’s loss was equally significant, as she had been a frontrunner prior to this round. The competition remains tight, as players continue to vie for position.
Upcoming Rounds
Round seven is scheduled for Monday, June 1, at 11 a.m. ET, or 17:00 CEST. Players will continue to battle for advantage, with each round becoming increasingly critical.
Standings After Round Six
| Rank | Player | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wesley So | 11.5 |
| 2 | Magnus Carlsen | 9 |
| 3 | Vincent Keymer | 8 |
The mixed format of both classical and armageddon games adds to the tournament’s excitement, providing opportunities for unexpected outcomes. As the standings shift rapidly, every match holds the potential for a surprise.
Make sure to follow the ongoing tournament on El-Balad for live updates and coverage of each round. Norway Chess 2026 showcases top-tier talent, with players fighting for an impressive prize fund of 1,690,000 NOK (approximately $182,000).
