Indian GM Praggnanandhaa R commented on his second win over Magnus Carlsen in round 8 of Norway Chess 2026. Pragg believes Magnus panicked, and says Carlsen usually moves his King correctly.

Praggnanandhaa R

Praggnanandhaa R

Indian GM

“I don’t think there’s any secret here. Sometimes you just get lucky. But I think Magnus played a really, really good game. Overall, the quality of this game was quite good compared to the other one.

I was putting a lot of pressure on him, both on the board and on time, but he managed to stay calm. I think he’s one of the only guys who can do that. So, it was surprising that he blundered in such a weird way.

Because he’s someone who, even if you woke him up in the middle of the night, would still put his king on the right square. Maybe it was panic or something else.

These things happen when you’re under pressure and playing in time trouble for a long time. I’ll take any win like that, because I’ve missed a lot in similar time scrambles myself.”

The Norway Chess 2026 takes place from May 25 to June 5, at the Deichman Bjorvika public library, Oslo. Magnus Carlsen blundered a checkmate in the game against Praggnanandhaa R in round 8. Carlsen is in 5th place, and Pragg is 3rd after eight rounds.

Credit: Michal Walusza / Norway Chess