R Praggnanandhaa Makes History by Winning Norway Chess Tournament
Historic Victory for Praggnanandhaa
R Praggnanandhaa has etched his name in history as the first Indian to clinch the Norway Chess tournament title. After a shaky start, he gained momentum towards the end, winning four consecutive matches to secure the championship. In a thrilling finale, Praggnanandhaa triumphed over Vincent Keymer, while Wesley So claimed second place after defeating GM Alireza Firouzja in an Armageddon match. Former champion Magnus Carlsen faced challenges but managed to surpass Keymer, finishing in fourth place.
For Praggnanandhaa, winning the tournament required more than just his own success; he needed Wesley So to either lose or draw against Firouzja. In an exclusive interview, he shared that he was closely monitoring the So-Firouzja match and felt relieved when it went to Armageddon. However, he emphasized that his main focus was on his own game against Keymer. "I was just trying to concentrate on my game. Winning four in a row wouldn’t matter if I didn’t win the tournament," he stated.
After his victory over Firouzja, So remarked that there was only a slim chance of Praggnanandhaa winning four classical games consecutively. Praggnanandhaa responded, acknowledging that even a one percent chance seemed optimistic, as he never anticipated achieving such a feat against such a strong field. "If you had asked me before these four games if I would win, I would have just hoped to win one game," he admitted.
Reflecting on his impressive turnaround in the latter half of the tournament, Praggnanandhaa attributed his success to improved time management and a conscious effort to play more swiftly. "I felt I was playing well in the first half, but things didn’t go my way. I focused on managing my time better, which helped me gain control in the second half," he explained.
When asked to choose his favorite game from the tournament, Praggnanandhaa found it challenging to pick between his last two victories. He expressed satisfaction with how he handled pressure in one game, while he described his win over Keymer as a clean and high-quality performance. "Both games were of good quality, but yesterday's game was particularly satisfying because I managed to calculate well under pressure," he noted.
Praggnanandhaa also discussed the physical and mental toll of competing in consecutive elite events, including the Superbet Chess Classic in Romania. Although he felt fatigued, the victories in Stavanger revitalized him. "It’s interesting because the top four players from Romania were also in this tournament. I was tired, but these wins gave me a boost of energy," he shared.
In a light-hearted moment, when asked about his celebration plans for this significant achievement, Praggnanandhaa humorously mentioned his hunger, saying, "Right now, I’m just hungry, so I’ll probably get something to eat."
The popularity of chess is rapidly increasing in India, with this year's Norway Chess being broadcasted in the country. Praggnanandhaa expressed his happiness about this development, hoping that the success of Indian players would inspire more people to take up the sport. "If my achievements help grow chess in India, I’m thrilled about that," he stated.
He also shared a touching moment with his mother, who had predicted that June would bring him good fortune. Reflecting on his victory, Praggnanandhaa remarked, "It couldn’t have turned out any better." Looking ahead, he plans to adopt a slightly lighter tournament schedule this year, with his next competition being the World Rapid Team Championship, where he will represent Ramesh's Chess Gurukul team before taking a short break.