Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa received a grand welcome in Chennai on Monday as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay honoured him for his historic victory at Norway Chess 2026. The state government awarded the 20-year-old Grandmaster a cash prize of ₹50 lakh in recognition of his remarkable achievement on the global stage.
Praggnanandhaa recently created history by becoming the first Indian player to lift the prestigious Norway Chess title, adding another milestone to India’s growing success in international chess.
Chief Minister Vijay Plays Chess with Praggnanandhaa
The felicitation ceremony featured a special moment when Chief Minister Vijay sat down for a friendly game of chess with the young Grandmaster. The unexpected match quickly became a talking point, with Praggnanandhaa later expressing surprise at Vijay’s understanding of the game.
According to the Indian chess star, the Chief Minister requested a chessboard during their interaction and willingly joined him for a quick game. While Praggnanandhaa emerged victorious, he appreciated Vijay’s skills and enthusiasm for the sport.
The event was attended by Praggnanandhaa’s mother Nagalakshmi and Tamil Nadu Sports Development Minister Aadhav Arjuna.
Norway Chess 2026: A Tournament to Remember
Praggnanandhaa’s triumph in Oslo is being regarded as one of the biggest achievements of his young career. Competing against some of the strongest players in world chess, the Indian Grandmaster demonstrated exceptional resilience throughout the tournament.
His campaign faced difficulties midway through the event as consecutive losses pushed him down the standings. At one stage, the title appeared out of reach, with American Grandmaster Wesley So holding a strong lead.
However, Praggnanandhaa refused to give up and produced a remarkable turnaround during the closing rounds.
Incredible Comeback Seals Historic Title
The Chennai-born Grandmaster delivered a series of outstanding performances when it mattered most. He registered crucial victories against elite opponents and steadily closed the gap at the top of the leaderboard.
Among his biggest achievements were victories over World Champion D Gukesh and World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen. Defeating Carlsen twice during the tournament highlighted the level of confidence and form Praggnanandhaa displayed in Norway.
Heading into the final round, he needed a strong result against Germany’s Vincent Keymer. Rising to the occasion, he capitalised on his opponent’s mistakes and secured the victory required to clinch the championship.
With 18 points, Praggnanandhaa finished ahead of the competition and etched his name into the history books as the first Indian winner of Norway Chess.
Strong Response After Candidates Disappointment
The Norway Chess title represents a major comeback for Praggnanandhaa after a challenging outing at the Candidates Tournament earlier this year. Despite not achieving the result he wanted in Toronto, the Indian Grandmaster remained focused and bounced back in spectacular fashion.
His victory in Norway has strengthened his position among the world’s top-ranked players and further established him as one of the brightest talents in international chess.
Indian Chess Continues Its Golden Run
Praggnanandhaa’s success adds to a memorable year for Indian chess. His sister, R Vaishali, has also enjoyed a breakthrough season after winning the Women’s Candidates Tournament, earning the right to challenge for the Women’s World Championship.
With Indian players continuing to excel at the highest level, the country’s influence in world chess continues to grow, and Praggnanandhaa’s Norway Chess triumph stands as one of the defining moments of 2026.
