Vijay Honors Chess Prodigy Praggnanandhaa with Rs 50 Lakh for Historic Win

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay recognized Indian Grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa for his historic victory at the Norway Chess 2026 tournament with a Rs 50 lakh reward. The felicitation took place in Chennai, highlighting Praggnanandhaa's remarkable achievement, including a crucial victory over Magnus Carlsen.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday honored Indian Grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa with a Rs 50 lakh cash prize for his groundbreaking win at the Norway Chess 2026 tournament. The ceremony, held at the Chief Secretariat in Chennai, saw the 20-year-old chess marvel receiving accolades after becoming the first Indian to clinch the prestigious title.

In a post on social media platform X, the Chief Minister's Office highlighted Praggnanandhaa's achievement, calling it a 'historic milestone.' The Grandmaster secured the crown in Oslo by defeating Vincent Keymer in a decisive manner, completing a stunning late rally with four consecutive classical victories, marking the pinnacle of his career.

Commenting on his interaction with CM Vijay, Praggnanandhaa stated, 'Playing chess with the Chief Minister was unexpected and a delightful experience.' His triumph ahead of notable competitors like Magnus Carlsen, Dommaraju Gukesh, and Wesley So underscores his growing prominence in the chess world. Wesley So finished as the runner-up, while Magnus Carlsen secured fourth place, demonstrating resilience in the tournament's final stages.