Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Indian chess grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa has confirmed his participation in the prestigious Norway Chess tournament for the third time. This will continue his steady rise among the world’s elite. One of the standout talents of the new generation, Praggnanandhaa recently qualified for the 2026 Candidates Tournament after winning the 2025 FIDE Circuit.
Speaking about his return, Praggnanandhaa said, “Looking forward to be back in Norway Chess, I enjoyed playing in 2024. Most exciting format I have played!”His connection with Norway Chess grew stronger in 2024, when he registered his first classical victory over Magnus Carlsen.The same year, he was part of India’s gold medal–winning team at the Chess Olympiad. These consistent performances have helped Praggnanandhaa reach a career-high world ranking of number four, along with a peak rating of 2785.With this announcement, Praggnanandhaa has been confirmed as the second player to participate in this year’s Norway Chess event in Oslo, following Magnus Carlsen, who was revealed earlier as the first entrant. As the organisers continue to unveil the remaining names each week, hopes remain alive for reigning world champion D Gukesh and India’s top-ranked player Arjun Erigaisi to also feature in the prestigious tournament.Norway Chess organisers were equally enthusiastic about his confirmation. COO Benedicte Westre Skog praised his impact at the event, saying, “Praggnanandhaa delivered some memorable moments at Norway Chess in 2024, and it’s great to welcome him back.“From qualifying for the Candidates to achieving major results on the world stage, his consistency and ambition make him an exciting player for both fans and competitors. We’re looking forward to seeing what he brings to the tournament in 2026.”
