Chennai, June 8:
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday felicitated Indian chess prodigy R. Praggnanandhaa for his historic victory at the prestigious Norway Chess tournament and presented him with a cash award of Rs 50 lakh in recognition of his remarkable achievement.
The felicitation ceremony turned into a memorable occasion when the Chief Minister and the 20-year-old Grandmaster sat across a chessboard and played a friendly game, delighting those present at the event.
Praggnanandhaa recently created history in Oslo by becoming the first Indian ever to win the Norway Chess title, one of the world’s most competitive chess tournaments. His title-winning campaign was marked by outstanding performances against some of the strongest players in the world.
One of the highlights of the tournament was Praggnanandhaa’s rare achievement of defeating World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen twice in classical chess. He also secured a crucial victory over reigning World Champion D. Gukesh during his title-winning run.
Praising the young Grandmaster’s brilliance, determination, and composure on the global stage, Chief Minister Vijay handed over the Rs 50 lakh cheque on behalf of the Tamil Nadu Sports Development Authority. He also presented a commemorative memento in recognition of Praggnanandhaa’s contribution to bringing international glory to Tamil Nadu and India.
Minister for Public Works and Sports Development Aadhav Arjuna, Sports Development Authority Member Secretary J. Meghanatha Reddy, IAS, Praggnanandhaa’s parents, and senior government officials attended the ceremony.
Praggnanandhaa’s triumph was particularly remarkable considering the difficult position he found himself in midway through the tournament. After six rounds, he was placed sixth and last in the standings. However, he staged a stunning comeback by winning four consecutive games, a feat not achieved in the tournament since Carlsen’s winning streak in 2021.
The Indian Grandmaster’s victories over Carlsen and Gukesh propelled him back into contention for the title. Entering the final round half a point behind leader Wesley So, Praggnanandhaa knew that only a victory would keep his championship hopes alive.
Facing Germany’s Vincent Keymer with the white pieces, Praggnanandhaa delivered a composed and clinical performance to secure a crucial win. The victory earned him three points, taking his tally to 18 points and sealing the championship.
The historic triumph has further cemented Praggnanandhaa’s status as one of India’s brightest sporting talents and a leading figure in the country’s growing dominance in international chess.
