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, Praggnanandhaa found his rhythm and secured four consecutive victories towards the end, ultimately leading him to triumph. He achieved a significant win against Vincent Keymer, while Wesley So secured second place after defeating GM Alireza Firouzja in a tense Armageddon match. Former champion Magnus Carlsen faced challenges but managed to surpass Keymer, finishing fourth after a classical double against World Champion D Gukesh.

For Praggnanandhaa, winning the title required more than just his performance; he needed Wesley So to either lose or draw his game 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 defeating Keymer. "I was trying to concentrate on my game. Even if I won four in a row, it wouldn't matter if I didn't win the tournament. My goal was to play my best," he stated.

After his Armageddon victory, So remarked that there was only a slim chance of Praggnanandhaa winning four classical games consecutively. Praggnanandhaa responded, acknowledging that such a prediction was generous, admitting he never expected to achieve this 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. Winning four is beyond what I imagined," he reflected.

Strategic Improvements in Performance

'Played With More Control In Second Half': Praggnanandhaa

Despite earlier losses to Magnus Carlsen and Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa turned the tide when it mattered most. When questioned about his turnaround, he attributed it to improved time management and a conscious effort to play more quickly, which allowed him to maintain better control during his matches. "There wasn't a specific strategy, but I focused on managing my time better and playing faster, which I believe made a difference. I felt I was playing well in the first half, but some things didn't go my way, so I worked on that and felt more in control later on," he explained.

When asked about his favorite game from the tournament, Praggnanandhaa found it challenging to choose between his last two victories. He expressed satisfaction with how he managed pressure in his previous game and described his win over Keymer as a high-quality performance. "Both games were of good quality. The previous game was particularly satisfying because I handled the pressure well, and today's game felt clean," he noted.

Reflecting on the physical and mental challenges of recent weeks, Praggnanandhaa admitted to feeling fatigued after competing in consecutive elite events, including the Superbet Chess Classic in Romania. However, he noted that his recent victories revitalized him. "It's interesting because four of us played in Romania, and I think the top four here are the same. I was tired, but these wins definitely gave me a boost of energy," he shared.

When asked about his plans to celebrate this significant achievement, Praggnanandhaa humorously replied, "Right now, I'm just hungry, so I'll probably get something to eat."

Chess Popularity in India

Praggnanandhaa Speaks On Growing Popularity Of Chess In India

As chess continues to gain traction in India, with Norway Chess being broadcast in the country this year, Praggnanandhaa expressed his enthusiasm for this development. He hopes that the success of Indian players will further promote the sport. "I believe this is one of the strongest tournaments, and I'm thrilled if it helps in growing chess in India," he stated.

Praggnanandhaa also shared a personal anecdote about his mother, who had predicted that June would bring him good luck. Reflecting on his victory, he remarked, "She told me that June is here, and things will be good for you. It couldn't have turned out better." Looking ahead, Praggnanandhaa plans to adopt a lighter tournament schedule compared to last year, with his next competition being the World Rapid Team Championship, where he will represent Ramesh's Chess Gurukul team before taking a brief break from the sport.