R Praggnanandhaa Makes History: First Indian to Win Norway Chess After Stunning Comeback

R Praggnanandhaa Makes History at Norway Chess, First Indian Champion

In a stunning display of skill and resilience, Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa etched his name in chess history on Friday by defeating Germany’s Vincent Keymer to secure four consecutive Classical wins at the prestigious Norway Chess tournament. This remarkable feat not only crowned him the champion but also made him the first Indian to win this esteemed event.

Praggnanandhaa’s journey to the title was anything but smooth. After a mixed start to the tournament, including a notable victory over world champion Magnus Carlsen in the third round, the 20-year-old found himself at the bottom of the leaderboard with just six points after six rounds. Following defeats to compatriot D Gukesh and Wesley So, many feared he was on track for another disappointing finish, especially after a lackluster performance at the FIDE Candidates in April.

However, a pivotal phone call from his mother, Nagalakshmi, before his match against Alireza Firouzja marked a turning point. “It’s a new month. You’ll play well,” she told him, words that would soon prove prophetic. Praggnanandhaa took her encouragement to heart and launched into an unprecedented winning streak, culminating in a double victory over Carlsen.

In an interview after his final match, Praggnanandhaa reflected on the impact of that conversation. “I was like, ‘Okay, it’s just one of these things that Mom always says.’ And then I win four games at once. She knew something, I guess,” he said, beaming with pride.

Key to his success was improved time management, allowing him to maintain control throughout his matches. “I decided I would play a bit faster than I was doing. I was having a time advantage in every game, which certainly helped,” he explained.

As he faced Keymer in the final round, Praggnanandhaa’s excitement was palpable when he spotted a mistake from his opponent. He took a moment to gather his thoughts before sealing his victory. “By a few moves, I knew that I was going to win. But I still wanted to make sure because… once I played knight e6, I couldn’t think anymore,” he recounted.

While Praggnanandhaa celebrated his historic win, the tournament concluded on a disappointing note for his fellow Indian competitors. D Gukesh finished at the bottom of the standings after losing to Carlsen, while Divya Deshmukh and Koneru Humpy struggled in the women’s section, with Humpy finishing without a single Classical win.

In a year that saw a first-time champion in the women’s section, Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva, the spotlight remained firmly on Praggnanandhaa, whose triumph has inspired a new generation of chess enthusiasts in India and beyond.

As the chess world celebrates this remarkable achievement, one thing is clear: R Praggnanandhaa’s journey is just beginning, and his future in the game looks brighter than ever.