Gukesh's Norway nightmare goes on; Praggnanandhaa stays second

OSLO: World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen returned to winning ways with a crushing victory over reigning classical world champion D Gukesh, sending the young Indian to the bottom of the standings, while R Praggnanandhaa stayed second after beating Vincent Keymer in Armageddon at the Norway Chess here.

- 

Seven-time Norway Chess champion Carlsen, who had endured a sluggish start to the tournament, climbed from last to sole fourth with 4.5 points after bagging three full points, while a dejected Gukesh slipped away quietly from the playing hall through a side exit, leaving scores of young fans waiting for autographs.

Going into Friday's rest day, Alireza Firouzja remained comfortably on top despite suffering his first defeat of the event -- an Armageddon loss to Wesley So after their classical game ended in a draw.