Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Honours Praggnanandhaa with ₹50 Lakh Award After Historic Norway Chess Triumph

Chennai, June 2026 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday felicitated Indian chess sensation R. Praggnanandhaa for his landmark victory at the prestigious Norway Chess tournament, presenting him with a cash award of ₹50 lakh in recognition of his outstanding achievement on the global stage.

The celebration at the Chief Minister’s office turned into a memorable occasion as Vijay and the 20-year-old Grandmaster engaged in a friendly game of chess, symbolising the state’s admiration for one of India’s brightest sporting talents.

Praggnanandhaa etched his name in history by becoming the first Indian player to win the Norway Chess title, one of the world’s most elite chess competitions. His remarkable campaign in Oslo featured victories over some of the strongest names in world chess, including two classical-format wins against World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen and a crucial triumph over reigning World Champion D. Gukesh.

Praising Praggnanandhaa’s exceptional talent, maturity and consistency, Chief Minister Vijay said the young Grandmaster had brought immense pride to Tamil Nadu and the nation through his achievements. The ₹50 lakh award was presented on behalf of the Tamil Nadu Sports Development Authority as a mark of appreciation for his contribution to Indian sport.

Along with the cash prize, the Chief Minister also handed over a commemorative memento to honour the chess prodigy’s historic accomplishment.

The felicitation ceremony was attended by Tamil Nadu Minister for Public Works and Sports Development Aadhav Arjuna, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu Member Secretary J. Meghanatha Reddy, IAS, Praggnanandhaa’s parents, and senior government officials.

Praggnanandhaa’s title-winning run in Norway Chess was particularly remarkable given the challenging start to his campaign. After six rounds, he was placed at the bottom of the standings, but staged a stunning comeback by winning four consecutive games. The surge included a second victory over Carlsen and a crucial penultimate-round win over Gukesh, bringing him firmly into title contention.

The winning streak was the first of its kind at Norway Chess since Carlsen achieved a similar feat in 2021.

Heading into the final round, Praggnanandhaa trailed leader Wesley So by half a point. Knowing that only a victory would significantly boost his title chances, he delivered under pressure against Germany’s Vincent Keymer. Playing with the white pieces, the Indian Grandmaster secured a vital win that earned him three points and lifted his tally to 18 points, enough to clinch the championship.

The historic triumph has further strengthened Praggnanandhaa’s standing among the world’s elite players and reinforced Tamil Nadu’s reputation as a powerhouse of Indian chess.