Pragg stuns world No 1 Carlsen

World champion Gukesh continued his worrying slide with another disappointing result

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NORWAY CHESS Praggnanandhaa, carrying the confidence from his recent triumph at the Superbet Chess Classic Romania in Bucharest, held his nerve Wednesday night against the five-time classical world champion in a tense time scramble to climb to second place with 4.5 points

R Praggnanandhaa signalled a return to his menacing best with a sensational victory over world No 1 Magnus Carlsen, outplaying the Norwegian great to claim three full points, while reigning world champion D Gukesh continued his worrying slide with another disappointing result at the Norway Chess tournament.

Carlsen may not have looked invincible in this year's edition, with rivals increasingly exposing rare chinks in his game. But defeating the seven-time champion on home soil remains one of the toughest feats in world chess.

Praggnanandhaa, carrying the confidence from his recent triumph at the Superbet Chess Classic Romania in Bucharest, held his nerve Wednesday night against the five-time classical world champion in a tense time scramble to climb to second place with 4.5 points.