Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday felicitated Indian chess sensation R Praggnanandhaa in Chennai following his historic victory at Norway Chess 2026. The young Grandmaster, who became the first Indian to win the prestigious tournament, was presented with a cash reward of ₹50 lakh by the Tamil Nadu government in recognition of his remarkable achievement.
The ceremony celebrated one of the biggest milestones in Indian chess, with Praggnanandhaa receiving praise for his outstanding performance on the international stage. Accompanying him at the event was his mother, Nagalakshmi, while Tamil Nadu Minister for Public Works and Sports Development Aadhav Arjuna was also present.
CM Vijay Surprises Praggnanandhaa with Chess Skills
One of the memorable moments of the felicitation ceremony came when Chief Minister Vijay invited Praggnanandhaa for a quick game of chess. The impromptu match delighted attendees, with the Chief Minister showcasing an unexpected understanding of the game.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Praggnanandhaa admitted he was surprised by Vijay’s abilities on the chessboard.
“I didn’t expect it. I hadn’t heard that he played chess before. He asked me to bring the board, and we started playing. He played really well,” Praggnanandhaa said.
The Grandmaster revealed that when he asked the Chief Minister about his chess experience, Vijay told him he used to play with friends. While Praggnanandhaa eventually won the game, he praised the Chief Minister’s performance and understanding of the sport.
Historic Norway Chess 2026 Victory
The honour comes just days after Praggnanandhaa scripted history in Oslo by winning the Norway Chess 2026 title. The tournament featured some of the strongest players in the world and is regarded as one of the most challenging events on the global chess calendar.
The 20-year-old’s path to the championship was far from straightforward. After suffering back-to-back classical defeats in the middle stages of the tournament, he found himself near the bottom of the standings and trailing leader Wesley So by a significant margin.
However, Praggnanandhaa produced one of the most impressive comebacks in recent chess history. Beginning in Round 7, he launched a remarkable winning streak that transformed the tournament.
Stunning Wins Against Chess Elite
During his resurgence, Praggnanandhaa defeated several of the world’s top players, including Alireza Firouzja and reigning World Champion D Gukesh. Most notably, he secured two classical victories over World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen during the tournament, a feat that drew widespread attention from the global chess community.
Entering the final round half a point behind Wesley So, the Indian star needed a victory against Germany’s Vincent Keymer to keep his title hopes alive. Playing with the white pieces, he capitalised on a crucial mistake from Keymer and delivered a commanding performance to secure the full three points required for the championship.
The victory lifted Praggnanandhaa to 18 points, allowing him to overtake So and become the first Indian player to win the Norway Chess title.
Major Comeback Year for Indian Grandmaster
The Norway Chess triumph marks a significant turnaround in Praggnanandhaa’s 2026 season. Earlier this year, he faced challenges at the Candidates Tournament in Toronto, where he finished in a tie for sixth place with 6 points from 14 games.
His success in Oslo has not only restored momentum to his campaign but also boosted his position in the global rankings. The tournament victory earned him valuable rating points and reinforced his status among the world’s leading chess players.
A Landmark Year for the Rameshbabu Family
The success story extends beyond Praggnanandhaa. His elder sister, R Vaishali, has also enjoyed a breakthrough year after winning the Women’s Candidates Tournament in Cyprus. Her victory earned her the opportunity to challenge China’s Ju Wenjun for the Women’s World Chess Championship.
With both siblings achieving major milestones on the international stage, 2026 is shaping up to be a historic year for the Rameshbabu family and Indian chess as a whole.
