Tamil Nadu CM Honors Chess Prodigy Praggnanandhaa with ₹50 Lakh Reward

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay recently honored chess prodigy Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa with a cash reward of ₹50 lakh for his historic victory at the Norway Chess 2026 tournament. The ceremony, held in Chennai, included a friendly chess match between the CM and the young Grandmaster. Praggnanandhaa made headlines by becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious title, showcasing his remarkable skills against a star-studded lineup, including World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen. His journey to victory included crucial wins over top competitors, solidifying his status in the chess world.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 8, 2026, 13:13 IST

Recognition for a Chess Champion

On Monday, Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay honored Indian Grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa by awarding him a cash prize of ₹50 lakh, representing the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu. This accolade comes in light of Praggnanandhaa's remarkable achievement at the Norway Chess 2026 tournament.

The ceremony took place at the Chief Secretariat in Chennai, where the Chief Minister engaged in a friendly chess match with the 20-year-old Grandmaster, who made history as the first Indian to clinch the prestigious Norway Chess title.

Praggnanandhaa's Historic Norway Chess Triumph

Praggnanandhaa made headlines on Friday by winning the Norway Chess 2026 championship in Oslo, defeating Germany's Vincent Keymer in the decisive final round. This victory marked a stunning comeback for the Indian chess star, who achieved four consecutive classical wins to secure one of the most significant titles in his career.

The Chennai native outperformed a competitive lineup that included World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, reigning world champion Dommaraju Gukesh, Alireza Firouzja, Wesley So, and Vincent Keymer.

His title-winning journey gained momentum towards the end of the tournament, highlighted by crucial victories against Firouzja, Carlsen, Gukesh, and Keymer. Notably, his win over Carlsen was a remarkable feat, marking a rare double victory against the Norwegian chess legend during the event.

In the final standings, American Grandmaster Wesley So secured second place after defeating Firouzja in an armageddon match, while Carlsen concluded the tournament positively by overcoming Gukesh and finishing in fourth place.