Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen will make a comeback to Global Chess League after a year's absence while FIDE Women's World Cup champion Divya Deshmukh will make her debut in the event during the fourth edition.

Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa won the Norway Chess tournament with 18 points, defeating World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen twice, marking a defining moment in his career.

R Praggnanandhaa now has an opportunity to put the Candidates disappointment behind him at Norway Chess, where he has emerged as a title contender.

R Praggnanandhaa capitalised on a rare blunder by Magnus Carlsen under time pressure, securing a key victory after 50 moves and boosting his title chances.

On the significance of beating the "virtually invincible" Carlsen for a third time overall and twice in the same event, the young Indian said it was never about intimidation.

The victory lifted R Praggnanandhaa to 12 points and third place, while simultaneously dealing what could prove to be a fatal blow to Magnus Carlsen's hopes of securing an eighth Norway Chess title.

World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen returned to winning ways with a crushing victory over reigning classical world champion D Gukesh, sending the young Indian to the bottom of the standings.

R Praggnanandhaa proved he can go toe-to-toe with Magnus Carlsen, defeating the Norwegian world No. 1 in a gripping contest to claim three full points in round three of the Norway Chess.

D Gukesh emerged victorious after a bruising, nerve-jangling marathon battle against Vincent Keymer, and R Praggnanandhaa outplayed Alireza Firouzja.

It was a pre-match interaction between Magnus Carlsen and Alua Nurman that gave rise to the drama which unfolded moments later.