Tamil Nadu CM Honors Chess Prodigy R Praggnanandhaa with ₹50 Lakh Reward After Historic Norway Chess Victory

Tamil Nadu CM Honors Chess Prodigy Praggnanandhaa with ₹50 Lakh Reward

Chennai, October 9, 2023 – In a momentous celebration of talent and achievement, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay honored chess Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa on Monday, presenting him with a cheque of ₹50 lakh from the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT). This recognition comes just days after the 20-year-old made history by becoming the first Indian to clinch the prestigious Norway Chess title.

The event was not just a formal ceremony; it turned into an engaging encounter as Vijay, a superstar actor-turned-politician, challenged Praggnanandhaa to a game of chess. To the delight of the audience, the young Grandmaster emerged victorious after a spirited 15-minute match. “I never expected that he would actually play chess with me. He was very supportive and encouraging,” Praggnanandhaa shared with reporters.

Vijay, who assumed office as Chief Minister just last month, expressed immense pride in Praggnanandhaa’s achievements. “This victory is a moment of pride for Tamil Nadu and our nation,” he remarked, highlighting the player’s remarkable feat of defeating World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen twice during the tournament.

The ceremony was attended by notable figures, including Minister for Public Works and Sports Development Aadhav Arjuna, SDAT member-secretary J Meghanatha Reddy, and Praggnanandhaa’s parents, all of whom celebrated the young champion’s success.

Praggnanandhaa’s journey to the Norway Chess 2026 title was nothing short of extraordinary. After starting the tournament on a low note, he staged a dramatic comeback, winning four consecutive classical games, including two against Carlsen and another against fellow Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh. His final victory over Germany’s Vincent Keymer secured him the title with a total of 18 points, surpassing American Wesley So, who finished second.

The Norway Chess tournament is renowned for its competitive format, where drawn classical games are resolved through an Armageddon tiebreak, making Praggnanandhaa’s achievement even more significant. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President CP Radhakrishnan also extended their congratulations, acknowledging the historic nature of his win.

Born in Chennai in August 2005, Praggnanandhaa earned his Grandmaster title in 2018 and has since made waves in the chess world, including a runner-up finish at the 2023 Chess World Cup and a gold medal with the Indian team at the 2024 Chess Olympiad.

With three of the four Indian players in the world’s chess top 10 hailing from Tamil Nadu, the state continues to be a powerhouse in nurturing chess talent, with Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh both benefiting from the state’s Elite Scheme for sportspersons.

As Tamil Nadu celebrates this remarkable achievement, the future looks bright for Praggnanandhaa, whose journey in the world of chess is just beginning.