Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Honours R Praggnanandhaa With Rs 50 Lakh Cash Reward After Brief 15 Minute Chess Session

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay met Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa on Monday, June 8, following the Indian grandmaster’s historic triumph at Norway Chess 2026.

TN CM Honours Praggnanandhaa

During the visit to the Chief Secretariat, the Chief Minister presented Praggnanandhaa with a cash reward of Rs. 50 lakh on behalf of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, in recognition of his successful run at the recently concluded tournament.

ALSO READ: HISTORY! Praggnanandhaa Becomes First Indian to Win Norway Chess Title

While speaking to reporters, R Praggnanandhaa revealed that the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister had played a game of chess with him. The Indian grandmaster admitted he hadn’t expected the CM to join him at the board and added that he won the 15‑minute match.

“I was asked to bring a chessboard, and I played a game with the Chief Minister. I never expected that he would actually play chess with me. We played for about 15 minutes, and I won the game. He was very supportive and encouraging,” Praggnanandhaa told reporters.

ALSO READ: PM Narendra Modi Hails R. Praggnanandhaa's Historic Norway Chess Triumph

Praggnanandhaa Became First Indian To Win Norway Chess Title

The 20‑year‑old grandmaster clinched the Norway Chess crown with a final‑round victory over Germany’s Vincent Keymer, capping one of the most impressive comeback runs in the tournament’s history.

The elite event featured a world‑class field, including World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, reigning world champion D Gukesh, Alireza Firouzja, Wesley So, and Vincent Keymer, making it one of the strongest tournaments on the international chess calendar.

Praggnanandhaa’s win over Keymer followed victories against Alireza Firouzja, World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, and reigning world champion D Gukesh in the preceding rounds. The tournament also saw him complete a rare double triumph over Carlsen.

Entering the final round half a point behind Wesley So, Praggnanandhaa knew a win would put him in contention for the title. Playing with the white pieces against Keymer, he seized the opportunity and converted a crucial victory.

The result earned him the maximum three points, taking his tally to 18, enough to secure first place in the standings.