Chess
Norway Chess 2026: Divya Deshmukh takes sole lead; Gukesh beats Praggnanandhaa
Divya Deshmukh took down world No 4 Zhu Jiner with the black pieces.
Divya Deshmukh (Photo credit: Norway Chess)
India's Divya Deshmukh took the sole lead in the women's section of the 2026 Norway Chess in Oslo on Saturday.
Deshmukh, 20, took down China's Jhu Ziner in the only classical victory of Round 5 in the women's event.
Playing with the black pieces, Deshmukh emerged victorious after a long drawn end-game battle against the world No 4 to overtake Bibisara Assaubayeva as the sole leader of the competition.
Deshmukh currently has 8.5 points out of 5 matches in the tournament.
Gukesh pips Praggnanandhaa
Elsewhere in the open section, the reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju pipped fellow Indian Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu in the fifth round.
Praggnanandhaa held the initiative for much of the game before Gukesh seized his opportunity in the latter stages of the match.
Under increasing pressure and time trouble, Praggnanandhaa was unable to hold the position, allowing Gukesh to convert his advantage and secure the victory.
Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa are placed third and fourth respectively in the standings.
Meanwhile, Wesely So of the United States took down world No 1 Magnus Carlsen whereas Alireza Firouzja got the better off Vincent Keymer in an Armageddon.