Hikaru Nakamura commented on Magnus Carlsen’s fourth loss at Norway Chess 2026. Nakamura says Magnus has no chance left to win, and states Carlsen hasn’t performed like this in a tournament in 15 years.

Hikaru Nakamura

Hikaru Nakamura

American GM, streamer

“Magnus Carlsen resigns and loses his fourth game in Norway Chess. This is a huge shocker to everybody who’s watching here. And I would say Magnus has ruined any real chances of winning the tournament.

If he’d drawn and gone to play Armageddon, there might still have been some hope. But with this loss, I’d say Magnus is more or less officially eliminated from running to win the tournament.

On top of that, he’s now lost more games in a single tournament than he’s lost in at least the last 15 years. This speaks to the great excellence of Magnus. But it also shows how chess is changing.”

At the 2015 Norway Chess, Magnus Carlsen finished 7th with 3.5/9 points. Magnus lost four games to Fabiano Caruana, Viswanathan Anand, Veselin Topalov, and Jon Ludvig Hammer.

The Norway Chess 2026 takes place from May 25 to June 5, at the Deichman Bjorvika public library, Oslo. Magnus Carlsen is in 5th place with 9/24 points after eight rounds.

Credit: Michal Walusza / Norway Chess