NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay honoured chess star R. Praggnanandhaa on Monday after his historic victory at the Norway Chess tournament, presenting him with a cash award of Rs 50 lakh and a memento. The event also featured a friendly chess game between the Chief Minister and the 20-year-old Grandmaster. Senior government officials, sports authorities, and Praggnanandhaa’s parents attended the ceremony. Praggnanandhaa made history in Oslo by becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious Norway Chess title. His remarkable campaign included two classical-format victories over World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen and an important win against reigning World Champion D Gukesh. Praising his calmness and brilliance on the international stage, the Chief Minister handed over the award on behalf of the Tamil Nadu Sports Development Authority.Watch:The triumph was even more impressive considering Praggnanandhaa’s difficult start. After six rounds, he was at the bottom of the standings in sixth place and had recently slipped to No. 16 in the world rankings. However, he turned things around with four consecutive wins, including another victory over Carlsen and a crucial win over Gukesh. The streak was the tournament’s first four-game winning run since Carlsen achieved the feat in 2021.ALSO READ: R Praggnanandhaa Exclusive Interview: ‘Winning ahead of Magnus Carlsen is something I’ve always wanted’Going into the final round, Praggnanandhaa trailed leader Wesley So by half a point and knew a win was essential. Playing with the white pieces against Vincent Keymer, he seized his opportunity and secured a vital victory. The result earned him the full three points, taking his tally to 18 points and moving him into first place overall.The title marked a major milestone in Indian chess, highlighting Praggnanandhaa’s resilience and ability to bounce back from adversity to claim one of the sport’s most prestigious crowns.
