Carlsen finally converted. After three rounds of draws, he dismantled Gukesh with the black pieces in round four, snapping the world champion's unbeaten run at Norway Chess. The performance matters. Carlsen arrived in Stavanger without a classical win all year, and beating the elite's toughest player on demand sends a message.
Wesley So halted Firouzja's charge in Armageddon, preventing the tournament leader from extending his dominant position further. Praggnanandhaa disposed of Keymer the same way. The format split the remaining contests, meaning wins stayed light but So stole half a point from the favorite anyway.
Firouzja maintains control. His 2½-point lead into the rest day looks formidable, but these Armageddon escapes show the field can still pressure him. Gukesh needs to bounce back after his first loss. Carlsen proved he's dangerous when he finally gets a position he can attack, which makes his remaining games a threat to anyone on the leaderboard.
The tournament structure rewards consistency over brilliance, but breakthroughs like Carlsen's shift momentum. The rest day arrives at the right moment for regrouping. When play resumes, expect tighter racing.