Divya Deshmukh makes statement start at Norway Chess after defeating Ju Wenjun in Armageddon

Norway Chess 2026 opened in Oslo on 25 May with decisive results and tense Armageddon games in both the main and women’s events. Alireza Firouzja beat World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in classical chess, while Bibisara Assaubayeva upset Indian No. 1 Humpy Koneru in Norway Chess Women.

Carlsen looked safe for most of his game, but severe time trouble led to a decisive mistake. Firouzja, representing France, took over the position and converted with care. This classical win gave him the only full point of the day and the early lead.

Indian No. 2 Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu drew a balanced classical game with Wesley So. He then won the Armageddon tiebreak after an energetic attack. World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju held a difficult endgame against German No. 1 Vincent Keymer, then also won his Armageddon game.

Keymer had outplayed Gukesh in a long strategic fight and came close to a win. Gukesh defended with care, found precise moves, and forced a draw. In the Armageddon decider, he turned the tables and scored the extra points, matching Praggnanandhaa’s round one haul.

In Norway Chess Women, Assaubayeva beat Humpy in classical play after sharp middlegame complications. She handled the tactics well and converted her edge with clean technique. The Kazakh player’s win stands as the only classical victory of the women’s first round and puts her in clear lead.

Anna Muzychuk and Zhu Jiner drew their classical game after a tense, balanced fight. Zhu later won the Armageddon game to earn extra points. Reigning Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun pressed hard against Divya Deshmukh, but their classical game also ended in a draw

Divya then produced a strong Armageddon display against Ju. She handled the pressure well and converted the tiebreak, taking the bonus points. After day one, Firouzja leads Norway Chess, and Assaubayeva tops Norway Chess Women, thanks to their sole classical wins.

Round 1 results and leaders

Event format and schedule

Norway Chess 2026 runs from 25 May to 5 June in Oslo. The main and women’s tournaments both use a 6-player double round-robin format. Equal prize funds underline the event’s focus on gender equality. Every drawn classical game goes to an Armageddon tiebreak to produce a daily winner.