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, while R Praggnanandhaa stayed second after beating Vincent Keymer in Armageddon at the Norway Chess here. Seven-time Norway Chess champion Carlsen, who had endured a sluggish start to the tournament, climbed from last to sole fourth with 4.5 points after bagging three full points, while a dejected Gukesh slipped away quietly from the playing hall through a side exit, leaving scores of young fans waiting for autographs. Going into Friday's rest day, Alireza Firouzja remained comfortably on top despite suffering his first defeat of the event -- an Armageddon loss to Wesley So after their classical game ended in a draw.

Firouzja still collected a valuable point to move to 8.5, maintaining a healthy 2.5-point lead over sole second-placed Praggnanandhaa on six points. American Wesley So sits third on 5.5 points, a point ahead of Carlsen, while Keymer is on four. At the bottom is reigning world champion Gukesh on 3.5 points, as the tournament threatens to turn into another nightmare campaign for the young Indian ahead of his world title defence against challenger Javokhir Sindarov later this year. There were no table-slams or dramatic "Oh my God!" moments from Carlsen this time, unlike his emotional loss to Gukesh last year, as the Norwegian great clinically converted his advantage with the black pieces.