Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay felicitated Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa in Chennai after his historic Norway Chess 2026 victory and also played a friendly game of chess, which the young champion won.
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday hosted Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa at the Secretariat in Chennai, where the young chess champion was honoured with a ₹50 lakh cash incentive after his historic victory at the Norway Chess 2026 tournament.
The visit also featured an informal chess match between the Chief Minister and the 20-year-old grandmaster, adding a rare personal touch to the felicitation ceremony.
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Tamil Nadu CM felicitates Praggnanandhaa after historic Norway Chess win
The Tamil Nadu government recognised Praggnanandhaa for his breakthrough triumph at Norway Chess 2026 in Oslo, where he became the first Indian player to win the prestigious tournament since its inception in 2013. The event was organised by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), which presented the ₹50 lakh award as a mark of appreciation for his achievement on the global stage.
Officials present at the ceremony included state Public Works and Sports Development Minister Aadhav Arjuna and senior SDAT representatives. The felicitation highlighted the state’s continued support for young sporting talent, especially in disciplines where India has recently made significant international progress.
Friendly chess game between CM and grandmaster draws attention
A key highlight of the visit was the chess game played between CM Vijay and Praggnanandhaa inside the Chief Secretariat chamber. According to Praggnanandhaa, he was asked to bring a chessboard for the meeting and did not expect the Chief Minister to actively participate in a full game.
The match reportedly lasted around 15 minutes, during which the Chief Minister engaged deeply in the play, carefully considering his moves while standing beside his desk. Observers, including Praggnanandhaa’s parents and state officials, watched the game unfold closely.
The game concluded with Praggnanandhaa delivering a checkmate, marking a light-hearted but memorable moment during the official programme. The Chief Minister reportedly acknowledged the result with a smile and applauded the grandmaster’s performance.
Praggnanandhaa reflects on experience and victory
Speaking to reporters after the event, Praggnanandhaa described the experience as unexpected and positive. He noted that the Chief Minister was “very supportive and encouraging” throughout the interaction.
He also reflected on his Norway Chess victory, calling it the most significant achievement of his career so far. The tournament win was especially notable as he defeated several top-ranked international players, including world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen and reigning world champion D Gukesh, during the course of the event.
Growing recognition for Indian chess talent
Praggnanandhaa’s victory adds to a growing list of achievements by Indian chess players on the global stage, signalling a strong emerging generation in the sport. His win in Norway has further strengthened India’s reputation in elite international chess competitions.
The Tamil Nadu government stated that such recognitions are intended to encourage young athletes and promote sporting excellence across the state. The ceremony concluded with the formal presentation of the incentive and a group interaction with officials and the grandmaster’s family.
(With PTI inputs)
Published: 08 Jun 2026, 02:18 pm IST
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