Tamil Nadu CM C. Joseph Vijay Honors R. Praggnanandhaa with ₹50 Lakh for Historic Norway Chess Victory
Tamil Nadu CM C. Joseph Vijay Honors R. Praggnanandhaa with Rs 50 Lakh for Historic Norway Chess Win
Chennai, June 8, 2026 — In a moment that celebrated both talent and triumph, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay presented Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa with a cash reward of Rs 50 lakh on Monday, recognizing his groundbreaking achievement as the first Indian to win the prestigious Norway Chess title.
The ceremony took place at the Secretariat in Chennai, just days after Praggnanandhaa clinched the title with a decisive victory over Germany’s Vincent Keymer in Oslo. This landmark win not only marks a significant milestone in Indian chess but also places Praggnanandhaa among the elite players in the world.
Following the formal recognition, the Chief Minister invited the 20-year-old Grandmaster for an impromptu game of chess in his office. The atmosphere was lively as Vijay, fully engaged in the match, even stood up from his desk to make strategic moves. Observers included Praggnanandhaa’s parents, Tamil Nadu Public Works and Sports Development Minister Aadhav Arjuna, and J. Meghanatha Reddy, Member Secretary of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT).
Reflecting on the unexpected encounter, Praggnanandhaa expressed his surprise, stating, “I didn’t expect it. I haven’t heard from anyone that he (Vijay) plays chess.” He added, “He played well. I won, but I didn’t expect he would play that well.”
The Chief Minister’s gesture of presenting a cheque for Rs 50 lakh on behalf of the SDAT underscores the significance of Praggnanandhaa’s achievement. Earlier, the young Grandmaster described his victory at Norway Chess as the pinnacle of his career, particularly for having triumphed over some of the world’s strongest players, including former world champion Magnus Carlsen.
As the chess community and fans celebrate this historic win, Praggnanandhaa’s journey continues to inspire aspiring players across the nation. With such recognition from state leadership, the future of chess in Tamil Nadu looks promising.
With PTI Inputs