Divya Deshmukh Shines in Norway Chess 2026; Magnus Carlsen Suffers Upset
Norway Chess 2026: Divya Deshmukh Stuns World Champion; Magnus Carlsen Crashes

Image: News 18
In her debut at the Norway Chess 2026, 20-year-old Divya Deshmukh from Nagpur stunned reigning women’s world champion Ju Wenjun, defeating her in Armageddon after a draw. Meanwhile, Magnus Carlsen faced an unexpected defeat against Alireza Firouzja, marking a surprising start to the tournament.
- 01Divya Deshmukh held Ju Wenjun to a draw before winning in Armageddon.
- 02Divya was the first player to use the confessional booth at the tournament.
- 03Magnus Carlsen lost to Alireza Firouzja, marking a rare defeat for the five-time world champion.
- 04D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa also had strong performances, winning their Armageddon games.
- 05Koneru Humpy lost her opening match against Bibisara Assaubayeva.
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Divya Deshmukh, a 20-year-old chess player from Nagpur, made a remarkable debut at the Norway Chess 2026 by holding reigning women’s world champion Ju Wenjun to a draw in the Classical game and then defeating her in the Armageddon tiebreaker. This performance was highlighted by Divya's first use of the tournament's unique confessional booth, showcasing her composure under pressure. In a surprising turn of events, Magnus Carlsen, a five-time world champion, suffered a defeat against Alireza Firouzja, who capitalized on Carlsen's error in a Queen’s Gambit setup. This loss left Carlsen at the bottom of the standings after the first round. Indian players had a strong showing overall, with D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa both winning their respective Armageddon matches after drawing their Classical games. However, veteran player Koneru Humpy faced disappointment, losing her match against Bibisara Assaubayeva. Overall, the first day of the tournament was marked by Divya's standout performance, signaling her arrival on the international chess stage.
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Divya Deshmukh's victory enhances the reputation of Indian chess on a global stage.
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