In a thrilling matchup during the ninth round of Norway Chess 2026, R. Praggnanandhaa defeated D. Gukesh in 34 moves, showcasing remarkable resilience to climb back into title contention with a total of 15 points. This victory is significant as it marks Praggnanandhaa's third consecutive win after initially struggling in the tournament. He is now just half a point behind leader Wesley So, who edged out Magnus Carlsen in Armageddon. Praggnanandhaa expressed pride in his performance, noting his improved time management and calculation skills during the match. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan's Bibisara Assaubayeva secured the women's title, despite a loss in Armageddon against Anna Muzychuk. The final round promises to be exciting, with Praggnanandhaa set to face German player Vincent Keymer, and So competing against Alireza Firouzja. Both Praggnanandhaa and So are in contention for the top prize, while Carlsen and Gukesh aim to avoid finishing at the bottom.