Firouzja is running away with Norway Chess. The Iranian grandmaster took down Praggnanandhaa on Tuesday for his second consecutive classical victory, following his demolition of Carlsen on the opening day. He sits at 6/6 with a commanding 3.5-point lead.
This is the kind of performance that announces a player's arrival at the elite level. Firouzja came to Norway Chess as the rising star. He's proving the hype is real. Two clean wins against world-class opposition in three rounds is not luck. It's the mark of someone playing chess at a level above the field.
Carlsen and Wesley So salvaged draws with Armageddon victories. Carlsen beat Keymer, So edged Gukesh. These wins keep them in contention, though they're chasing a player who looks practically untouchable right now.
The mathematical guarantee of remaining alone in first after round three tells you everything. Firouzja has seized control of the tournament so decisively that only a catastrophic collapse can dislodge him. With three rounds down and several remaining, he's already dictating the narrative.
The question now shifts from whether Firouzja can lead to whether anyone can catch him. So far, no one has come remotely close.