Tamil Nadu CM Honors Chess Prodigy R. Praggnanandhaa with Felicitation and Cash Prize

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Honors Chess Prodigy R. Praggnanandhaa with Grand Felicitation

Chennai, June 8, 2026 — In a moment that celebrated both talent and triumph, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay honored chess Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa on Monday, presenting him with a cash award of ₹50 lakh for his historic victory at the prestigious Norway Chess tournament.

The event took place at the Secretariat, where the 20-year-old prodigy, fresh off his remarkable win against Germany’s Vincent Keymer, became the first Indian to clinch the Norway Chess title since the tournament’s inception in 2013. The Chief Minister, eager to engage with the young champion, challenged Praggnanandhaa to a game of chess, only to find himself checkmated in a display of the Grandmaster’s skill.

A video released by the government captured the moment as Vijay, fully engrossed in the game, stood beside his large office table, contemplating his next move. Surrounded by Praggnanandhaa’s parents, state Public Works and Sports Development Minister Aadhav Arjuna, and J. Meghanatha Reddy, member secretary of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, the atmosphere was charged with excitement.

As the final move sealed the game, the Chief Minister smiled and applauded his young opponent, who beamed with pride. “He (CM) played well… I won,” Praggnanandhaa remarked to reporters, his joy evident.

Reflecting on his monumental achievement, Praggnanandhaa described the Norway Chess triumph as the pinnacle of his career, particularly for having defeated some of the world’s strongest players, including the legendary Magnus Carlsen.

The Chief Minister’s gesture of awarding ₹50 lakh not only recognized Praggnanandhaa’s extraordinary accomplishment but also underscored the state’s commitment to nurturing sporting talent.

As the event concluded, the young Grandmaster left the Secretariat not just with a hefty cheque but also with the admiration of a state that takes immense pride in its chess legacy.

With this victory, Praggnanandhaa has not only etched his name in history but has also inspired a new generation of chess enthusiasts in India.