Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa Makes History: First Indian to Win Norway Chess in Magnus Carlsen’s Backyard

Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa Makes History at Norway Chess 2026: A Triumph Over Magnus Carlsen

NEW DELHI: In a stunning display of skill and determination, 20-year-old Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa from Chennai has etched his name in chess history by becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious Norway Chess tournament, held in the very backyard of World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen.

Starting the second half of the tournament at the bottom of the standings, Praggnanandhaa staged a remarkable comeback, defeating Carlsen not once, but twice in classical matches. He also secured victories against reigning world champion Dommaraju Gukesh and Germany’s top player, Vincent Keymer, culminating in a triumphant final round that sealed his victory.

As fellow contenders Wesley So and Alireza Firouzja shared points on an adjacent board, the crown found a new home in India, marking a historic moment for Indian chess.

In an exclusive interview with Times of India, Praggnanandhaa reflected on his monumental win. “Winning this tournament feels more special for different reasons. Being in the last position after Round 6 and then coming back to win is not something that happens often,” he said. “Beating Magnus twice and winning ahead of him is something I’ve always wanted.”

The young Grandmaster shared the joy of his family, who were ecstatic about his breakthrough after a challenging ten months. “My parents are super happy. They were quite relieved to see me get this victory after some tough times,” he added.

Praggnanandhaa also spoke about the inspiration he drew from his sister, Grandmaster Vaishali, who recently won the Women’s Candidates tournament. “Her win certainly helped me get over my own disappointments. It inspires you when someone close to you achieves such success,” he noted.

His mentor, Grandmaster Vaibhav Suri, has played a crucial role in his journey. “Vaibhav is not just a second but a good friend. He’s someone I can talk to after both good and bad games, which is essential during tournaments,” Praggnanandhaa explained, expressing gratitude for the support from his entire team, including his long-time coach, RB Ramesh.

Reflecting on his mixed results over the past year, Praggnanandhaa acknowledged the challenges he faced but emphasized the importance of perseverance. “There were certainly low periods, but I felt I was getting back to playing good-quality chess. I’m grateful for the support from my family, trainers, and sponsors,” he said.

Looking ahead, Praggnanandhaa confirmed that his points from Norway Chess would count towards the FIDE Circuit, but he expressed a desire to focus on enjoying the game rather than stressing about future competitions. “I just want to have fun and play well in every tournament,” he stated.

As he prepares to return to India, Praggnanandhaa plans to celebrate his victory with family, albeit with no grand plans. “I’ll try to get as much rest as possible since I’ll be playing in the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships soon,” he mentioned.

He also took a moment to express gratitude to his sponsors, The Adani Group, for their unwavering support. “They’ve always been there through my lows, treating me like family. I’m truly grateful for their backing,” he said.

With this historic victory, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa not only adds a prestigious title to his name but also inspires a new generation of chess players in India, proving that with determination and support, anything is possible.