Praggnanandhaa conquers Norway chess

Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa made history as the first Indian to win the Norway Chess tournament, completing a sensational comeback in Stavanger. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya praised the 20-year-old, stating the entire nation is proud of his monumental feat

New Delhi: Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya congratulated Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa after the young Indian chess star scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious Norway Chess tournament.

Mandaviya hailed Praggnanandhaa’s remarkable achievement, stating that the entire country was celebrating the landmark moment.

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“A monumental day for Indian chess! Congratulations to GM R. Praggnanandhaa on becoming the first Indian to conquer the Norway Chess tournament. The entire nation is proud of you,” Mandaviya wrote on X.

The 20-year-old Grandmaster from Chennai completed a stunning turnaround in Stavanger, defeating Germany’s Vincent Keymer in the 10th and final round to clinch the title. With the victory, Praggnanandhaa finished with 18 points to secure the championship ahead of American Grandmaster Wesley So, who ended with 17 points.

Praggnanandhaa’s triumph is being regarded as one of the greatest comebacks in the tournament’s history. He was placed sixth and last after six rounds but produced a sensational run of four consecutive victories to storm back into title contention. His winning streak included a second victory over World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen and a crucial penultimate-round win against reigning World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju.

The Indian Grandmaster sealed the title with a clinical performance against Keymer, capitalizing on key middlegame errors before converting his advantage into victory on the 45th move.

Apart from etching his name into the record books as the first Indian champion of Norway Chess, Praggnanandhaa also claimed the tournament’s top prize of USD 100,000.

The achievement marks another major milestone for Indian chess and further strengthens the country’s growing presence on the global stage. Mandaviya’s message reflected the widespread admiration for Praggnanandhaa’s accomplishment, with fans and members of the sporting fraternity joining in to celebrate a historic moment for Indian chess.