Praggnanandhaa Honored by CM Vijay: Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Rewards Chess Star Praggnanandhaa After Historic Norway Chess Triumph
Following his landmark Norway Chess victory, Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa received a major cash reward from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay, who praised his achievement and remarkable fighting spirit.
Praggnanandhaa Honored by CM Vijay: Young Indian chess sensation Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa received a grand welcome from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay after his memorable triumph at the prestigious Norway Chess tournament. In recognition of his outstanding achievement, the Chief Minister presented him with a cash reward of Rs 50 lakh and congratulated him for bringing pride to both the state and the nation.
The celebration became even more special when Vijay spent a few moments playing a friendly game of chess with the grandmaster. The lighthearted interaction drew attention from those present and highlighted the admiration for the young champion’s success on the global stage.
Praggnanandhaa created history by becoming the first Indian player to win the Norway Chess title in Oslo. His performance throughout the tournament showcased exceptional skill, determination, and composure against some of the world’s strongest competitors.
One of the biggest highlights of his campaign was defeating world number one Magnus Carlsen twice in the classical format on the Norwegian star’s home soil. He also secured a crucial victory over reigning World Champion D. Gukesh, further strengthening his path to the title.
The tournament did not begin smoothly for Praggnanandhaa. After six rounds, he found himself at the bottom of the standings. However, he staged a remarkable comeback by winning four consecutive games, dramatically changing the course of the competition and emerging as a serious title contender.
His final round victory against Vincent Keymer sealed the championship. Finishing with 18 points, Praggnanandhaa climbed to the top of the leaderboard and secured one of the most significant titles of his career. Notably, he became the first player since Magnus Carlsen in 2021 to register four straight wins in a single Norway Chess event.
The felicitation ceremony was attended by state ministers, senior officials of the Tamil Nadu Sports Development Authority, and Praggnanandhaa’s family members. The event celebrated not only a major sporting achievement but also the rise of one of India’s brightest chess talents.
