Praggnanandhaa outlasted Carlsen in a wild Norway Chess encounter that swung decisively in the Indian's favor when the world champion crumbled under the clock. Carlsen had clawed back from a desperate position into what looked like a winning advantage, but time pressure proved his undoing in the critical phase.
The victory moved Praggnanandhaa into second place overall, keeping him within striking distance of Firouzja at the top of the standings. It's the kind of win that matters at this level. Carlsen doesn't often lose because of blunders born from time trouble, yet that's exactly what happened here.
Praggnanandhaa's performance reflects his growing confidence against the elite. He's no longer the player who wilts when facing the world's best. Instead, he's punishing mistakes when they come. Carlsen will be frustrated by this one, knowing the position slipped through his fingers in the final moves rather than being outplayed cleanly.
With multiple rounds remaining, the tournament remains wide open. Firouzja's lead isn't insurmountable, and Praggnanandhaa has shown he has the nerve to capitalize when his opponents stumble. The race for first place just got tighter.