Prime Minister Modi Congratulates R Praggnanandhaa on Historic Norway Chess Victory: First Indian to Claim the Title Since 2013
Praggnanandhaa Makes History: First Indian to Win Norway Chess Tournament
NEW DELHI: In a groundbreaking achievement for Indian chess, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated R Praggnanandhaa on Saturday for becoming the first Indian to clinch the prestigious Norway Chess tournament. This remarkable feat marks a significant milestone in the young player’s burgeoning career.
Praggnanandhaa, a 20-year-old prodigy from Chennai, made history by defeating world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen not once, but twice during the tournament, a rare accomplishment in the elite chess world. Modi took to social media platform X to express his admiration, stating, “Congratulations to Praggnanandhaa for this remarkable feat! This is indeed an incredible milestone that highlights his continued excellence. My best wishes to him for his future endeavours.”
The Norway Chess tournament, which has been held annually since 2013, featured an exceptionally competitive field, with all six players in the Open section boasting ratings above 2700. Carlsen, entering the tournament as the highest-rated player with a staggering rating of 2840, was a formidable opponent. However, Praggnanandhaa’s skill and determination shone through as he navigated the challenging landscape of the tournament.
Starting the final day in third place with 15 points, Praggnanandhaa secured a crucial classical victory in the last round, earning three points to finish with a total of 18 points and claim the title. His victory not only adds to his accolades but also places him in the company of Indian chess legends like Viswanathan Anand and D Gukesh, who were unable to achieve this milestone in previous years.
Having participated in Norway Chess for only the second time, Praggnanandhaa demonstrated resilience after a slow start, winning four consecutive games in the latter half of the tournament. His standout performances against Carlsen were particularly noteworthy, especially following a disappointing outing at the Candidates Tournament in Paphos earlier this year.
As the tournament progressed, the title race remained fiercely contested. American grandmaster Wesley So led the standings with 15.5 points going into the final round but was held to a draw against Alireza Firouzja, which opened the door for Praggnanandhaa. Seizing the opportunity, he secured a classical win over Vincent Keymer, propelling him to the top of the leaderboard.
Despite So winning the subsequent Armageddon tie-break, he finished with 17 points, just shy of Praggnanandhaa’s winning total. Firouzja rounded out the podium in third place with 15.5 points.
Praggnanandhaa’s historic victory not only elevates his status in the chess community but also inspires a new generation of chess enthusiasts in India. As the nation celebrates this achievement, the future looks bright for this young chess sensation.