Wesley So seized control of Norway Chess 2026 in round six, capitalizing on three decisive games to move ahead of the field. So defeated Praggnanandhaa for the second straight round, a brutal stretch for the Indian prodigy that cost him momentum at a critical stage.
The round's headline came elsewhere though. Magnus Carlsen got his revenge against Alireza Firouzja, who had held the lead before this round. Carlsen's victory pushed Firouzja back and opened the door for So to slip through.
In the women's section, Assaubayeva reclaimed the top spot after a round where she found her form. The tournament has shaped up as a genuine battle across both competitions, with no player running away yet.
So's back-to-back wins over Praggnanandhaa suggest he's hitting his stride at exactly the right moment. Praggnanandhaa will need to regroup quickly. The loss of two consecutive games against a competitor he should match is the kind of setback that compounds itself mentally if left unchecked.
Carlsen's response to Firouzja showed the world number one hasn't abandoned his competitive edge despite his focus on classical chess waning in recent years. With So now in front and multiple contenders still within striking distance, the final rounds promise drama. The tournament remains wide open.