Round five of Norway Chess 2026 in Oslo witnessed intense competition with two decisive classical games and a crucial Armageddon victory, intensifying the race for the top spot. World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju claimed a significant win over Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu in a tense Indian face-off. Praggnanandhaa initially held the advantage but succumbed to pressure, allowing Gukesh to capitalize and emerge victorious.
Wesley So also notched a vital triumph by defeating world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen after a strategic battle that saw So gradually gaining control in the endgame. Despite Carlsen’s resilient defense, So maintained dominance to secure a valuable classical victory. Meanwhile, the match between Alireza Firouzja and Vincent Keymer ended in a draw, with Firouzja later clinching the Armageddon game to strengthen his lead.
In the Norway Chess Women category, Divya Deshmukh secured the sole classical win of the day by defeating Zhu Jiner in a fiercely contested endgame. Divya’s precise play in the time scramble allowed her to convert the advantage into a crucial victory. Additionally, Bibisara Assaubayeva and Anna Muzychuk played out a hard-fought draw, with Muzychuk unable to turn her mid-game advantage into a win.
Reigning Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun and Humpy Koneru’s match ended in a draw, leading to an Armageddon showdown for extra points, which Koneru won. Deshmukh’s triumph places her at the top of the standings as the tournament progresses into its second half.
