Tamil Nadu CM Honors Chess Star R. Praggnanandhaa After Norway Chess Victory

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay recently honored chess prodigy R. Praggnanandhaa for his groundbreaking victory at the Norway Chess tournament. The 20-year-old Grandmaster made history by becoming the first Indian to win this prestigious title, defeating World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen twice. During the celebration, CM Vijay presented Praggnanandhaa with a cash award of ₹50 lakh and engaged him in a friendly chess match. This article delves into Praggnanandhaa's remarkable journey and his impressive comeback in the tournament, culminating in a well-deserved victory.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 8, 2026, 14:05 IST

Celebrating a Historic Achievement

Photo: IANS

Chennai, June 8: On Monday, Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay honored chess sensation R. Praggnanandhaa for his remarkable victory at the Norway Chess tournament, presenting him with a cash prize of ₹50 lakh. The occasion turned lively as CM Vijay and the 20-year-old Grandmaster engaged in a friendly chess match.

Praggnanandhaa made history in Oslo by becoming the first Indian to win the Norway Chess title. His impressive journey included defeating the World No. 1, Magnus Carlsen, twice in classical matches, along with a significant win against reigning World Champion D. Gukesh.

Commending the young talent's remarkable intellect and poise on the international stage, CM Vijay awarded the ₹50 lakh cheque as a gesture of appreciation from the Tamil Nadu Sports Development Authority, along with a memento recognizing his contributions to both Tamil Nadu and India.

Present at the ceremony were Minister for Public Works and Sports Development Aadhav Arjuna, J. Meghanatha Reddy, I.A.S., the Member Secretary of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, along with Praggnanandhaa's parents and various senior government officials.

After recently dropping to No. 16 in the world rankings, Praggnanandhaa delivered an outstanding performance at the Norway Chess, making a remarkable comeback to claim the prestigious title.

Initially positioned last after the sixth round, he achieved four consecutive victories, including his second win over Carlsen and a crucial match against Gukesh, which placed him in contention for the championship. This marked the first winning streak in the tournament since Carlsen's in 2021.

Entering the final round half a point behind Wesley So, Praggnanandhaa understood that a win was essential to take the lead. Competing against Vincent Keymer with the white pieces, he seized the opportunity and secured a vital victory. This win earned him a total of 18 points, securing first place overall.