Praggnanandhaa beats Carlsen twice, matches Anand’s rare achievement

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa produced a landmark performance by defeating world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen twice in the same classical tournament at Norway Chess 2026. The result places him alongside Viswanathan Anand, who achieved the same feat at the Linares tournament in 2007. At just 20, Praggnanandhaa has once again shown that he belongs among the game’s elite. His latest victory came in Round 8, where he outplayed Carlsen with the black pieces after having already beaten him earlier in the event with white. That combination made the achievement even more impressive and highlighted both his versatility and composure under pressure.

Reports indicate that no player had managed to beat Carlsen twice in a single classical tournament in the last 19 years. The last to do so was Viswanathan Anand, during Linares in 2007. By matching that accomplishment, Praggnanandhaa has joined an exclusive group and added another memorable chapter to India’s chess legacy. He had also defeated Carlsen in the 2024 edition of Norway Chess, which further underlines his growing confidence in high-level events.

What impressed many observers just as much as the win itself was Praggnanandhaa’s measured response. Instead of focusing on the significance of beating the world’s top-ranked player, he stressed that earning points at this stage of the tournament mattered more. His words reflected maturity, discipline, and a clear commitment to the larger goal rather than the spotlight of a single result.

He also acknowledged Carlsen’s quality during the game, noting that the Norwegian defended with great precision for a long time. Praggnanandhaa admitted that he had expected the contest to end peacefully before a late mistake changed the outcome. His comments showed respect for his opponent while also revealing how demanding the battle had been from start to finish.

Eyes on the final rounds

Looking ahead, the Chennai-based grandmaster said he was generally satisfied with his form but felt he needed to handle time pressure better. He explained that the time scrambles had not gone in his favour and that he would try to keep more time on the clock in the remaining rounds. With rest and renewed focus, Praggnanandhaa now heads into the closing stage of the tournament as one of its strongest contenders. His double triumph over Carlsen is not only a personal milestone, but also a powerful statement about the rise of India’s new chess generation.