Carlsen left bewildered as Praggnanandhaa completes another emphatic triumph over world No 1 at Norway Chess | Watch

R Praggnanandhaa has pulled off the unthinkable at the ongoing Norway Chess in Oslo, defeating Magnus Carlsen twice in as many Classical games at the latter's home event and re-establishing himself in the title race with two rounds to go.

Praggnanandhaa had handed Carlsen his second Classical loss in three outings during the third round last week. And on Tuesday, the Indian GM defeated the five-time world champion once again, this time with black pieces to collect his second consecutive Classical victory and his third overall in the ongoing tournament and complete an unprecedented double against Carlsen, among the greatest ever to play the sport.

Carlsen was under time pressure for the most part in the middle and endgame, but remained on level terms with his opponent and could have steered the contest towards a draw. The 35-year-old, however, committed a massive blunder in his 48th move with his King (Kf4).

Pragg was quick to pounce on the opening and began chasing the black King with his Queen, eventually sealing a historic victory just two moves later.

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Carlsen's body language in the ongoing tournament isn't typical of someone for whom winning has been a habit for nearly two decades now. And on Tuesday, the Norwegian had a bewildered look on his face after losing his rematch against Pragg.

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Pragg becomes only second Indian to achieve incredible feat

Praggnanandhaa had become only the third Indian after Viswanathan Anand and Pentala Harikrishna to defeat Carlsen in any format back in 2022 after beating him in an online rapid tournament back when he was still reigning as the Classical world champion. Two years later, at the Norway Chess, Pragg would defeat Carlsen in a Classical game for the first time, beating him with white pieces in the third round.

And on Tuesday, Pragg became only the second Indian after Karthikeyan Murali to beat Carlsen with black pieces since the Norwegian became the world No 1 in July 2011.

The victory propels the 20-year-old Indian GM to the third spot in the 'Open' standings, just a couple of points behind current leader Wesley So. Carlsen, on the other hand, has slipped to the fifth spot with 9 points, his chances of winning a record-extending eighth title appearing slim with just two rounds to go.

Disappointing day for Gukesh, Divya

Reigning world champion D Gukesh, meanwhile, finds himself at the bottom of the standings after suffering a Classical defeat at the hands of Alireza Firouzja, who moved to the second spot as a result.

It was also a forgettable day for Divya Deshmukh, who missed the opportunity to leapfrog past Bibisara Assaubayeva to the top of the women's standings after committing a blunder, one that cost her the match and allowed her Kazakhstani opponent to increase her gap at the number one spot.