Tamil Nadu CM Vijay congratulates Praggnanandhaa on historic Norway chess triumph
Chennai, June 6
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Saturday congratulated Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa for creating history by becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious Norway Chess tournament, describing the achievement as a moment of pride for both Tamil Nadu and the nation.
In a statement, Vijay hailed the 20-year-old chess prodigy for his remarkable performance at the Norway Chess 2026 tournament held in Oslo, Norway, where he secured the championship title with a decisive victory over Germany's Vincent Keymer in the final round.
The Chief Minister noted that Praggnanandhaa had achieved several milestones during the tournament, including defeating reigning world No.1 Magnus Carlsen twice and registering four consecutive victories in a single Norway Chess campaign. He said the young Grandmaster had set new records while showcasing exceptional skill and determination against some of the strongest players in the world.
"Heartfelt congratulations to Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa for becoming the first Indian to win the Norway Chess tournament and for bringing immense pride to Tamil Nadu and India," Vijay said in his message.
Praggnanandhaa's victory marks a historic milestone for Indian chess. Widely regarded as one of the brightest talents of his generation, the Chennai-born player has been rewriting records since childhood. He became the world's youngest International Master at the age of 10 and went on to earn the Grandmaster title at just 12 years, 10 months and 13 days, making him one of the youngest Grandmasters in chess history.
Praggnanandhaa's rise on the international stage gathered momentum in 2022 when he defeated Magnus Carlsen in an elite online rapid tournament, attracting worldwide attention. The following year, he reached the final of the FIDE World Cup, finishing runner-up and becoming one of the youngest players ever to contest the title match. The performance also earned him a coveted berth in the Candidates Tournament, the pathway to the World Chess Championship.
The Norway Chess title is widely regarded as the biggest achievement of Praggnanandhaa's career so far. By overcoming a field featuring many of the world's top-ranked players and becoming the first Indian champion in the tournament's history, the young Grandmaster has further cemented his place among the elite of world chess while inspiring a new generation of Indian players.
— IANS
Reader Comments
So proud of our Tamil Nadu boy! 🏆 And kudos to CM Vijay for recognizing this historic achievement. It's heartwarming to see our leaders celebrate sports excellence. Pragg's journey from a 10-year-old IM to Norway Chess champion shows what dedication can achieve.
Having followed Pragg since his early days, this feels surreal. Beating Carlsen twice in one tournament is no small feat - the guy is a legend. But I hope the government provides more support to grassroots chess programs. We need more such champions, not just from TN but across India.
As someone who plays chess casually, this is mind-blowing. Norway Chess has a crazy strong field every year, and winning it as the first Indian is massive. Pragg's rise reminds me of Anand's early days - another Chennai legend. The future of Indian chess is bright! 🎉
While this is a great moment, let's not forget the role of Vishy Anand in mentoring these young GMs. The Chennai chess ecosystem is built on decades of hard work. Also, appreciate CM Vijay for the prompt recognition - though I wish more states would invest in chess academies. Small steps matter.
Absolutely thrilled! 🥳 As a chess enthusiast from Bangalore, seeing Pragg conquer Norway Chess is pure joy. The way he handled pressure against Keymer in the final was masterful. This win will inspire so many kids across India to take up chess. Congratulations, Pragg! You've made every Indian proud. 🇮🇳
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