Chennai: Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa has added another remarkable chapter to his growing career by becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious Norway Chess tournament, a title that had eluded even legendary former world champion Viswanathan Anand.
The 20 year old Grandmaster achieved the historic feat after a dramatic finish to one of the strongest chess events in the world. Held in Stavanger, Norway, the tournament featured some of the biggest names in international chess, including world number one Magnus Carlsen, reigning world champion D Gukesh, Wesley So, Alireza Firouzja and Vincent Keymer.
Praggnanandhaa entered the final stages of the competition facing a challenging situation, but produced an extraordinary comeback to claim the crown. His victory has been celebrated across India and the global chess community as a major milestone not only for the young player but also for Indian chess.
The tournament was marked by a stunning late surge from the Chennai born Grandmaster. After an inconsistent start, he found his best form when it mattered most. He registered four consecutive classical victories against some of the strongest players in the field. Among those wins were crucial triumphs over Firouzja, Carlsen, world champion Gukesh and Germany's Vincent Keymer.
Those victories transformed the tournament standings and pushed Praggnanandhaa to the top of the leaderboard. He eventually finished with 18 points, ahead of Wesley So, who ended the competition with 17 points. Firouzja secured third place with 15.5 points.
For Indian chess followers, the achievement carries special significance. Viswanathan Anand, widely regarded as the pioneer of modern Indian chess, competed in Norway Chess several times but never managed to win the title. Praggnanandhaa's success therefore represents a symbolic passing of the torch to a new generation of Indian players who are now challenging for the highest honours in the sport.
The victory also highlights the rapid rise of India as a global chess powerhouse. Over the past few years, Indian players have enjoyed remarkable success on the international stage. D Gukesh became the world champion, India performed strongly at major team events, and a new generation of talented Grandmasters has emerged to challenge the traditional dominance of Europe and the United States.
Praggnanandhaa has been at the forefront of this movement. Since becoming one of the youngest Grandmasters in history, he has steadily built a reputation for fearless play and maturity beyond his years. His performances against elite players have earned widespread respect, and the Norway Chess title is being viewed as one of the most important achievements of his career so far.
The tournament also proved disappointing for hometown favourite Magnus Carlsen. Although the Norwegian star won his final round game against Gukesh, he finished fourth overall, one of his weakest results in the event's history. Carlsen has dominated Norway Chess for many years, making Praggnanandhaa's triumph even more impressive.
Back home, celebrations have already begun. Political leaders, sports personalities and chess enthusiasts have congratulated the young Grandmaster. In Chennai, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay honoured Praggnanandhaa with a cash award of Rs 50 lakh in recognition of his achievement and praised him for bringing pride to the state and the nation.
As the chess world looks ahead to future championships, Praggnanandhaa's victory in Norway has sent a clear message. He is no longer just one of the most promising young talents in the game. He has firmly established himself as a serious contender among the world's elite players and a leading figure in the new era of Indian chess.