Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Plays Chess With Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday felicitated Indian chess Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa at the State Secretariat, celebrating the
young champion's historic victory at the Norway Chess 2026 tournament.

The meeting turned into a memorable occasion as the Chief Minister and the 20-year-old Grandmaster sat down for a friendly game of chess before the formal ceremony. In recognition of Praggnanandhaa's remarkable achievement, Vijay presented him with a cash incentive of ₹50 lakh on behalf of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT).

Praggnanandhaa, who recently became the first Indian player to win the
prestigious Norway Chess title, attended the event along with members of his family. The Chennai-born Grandmaster proudly displayed the trophy he won in Oslo, where he overcame a world-class field to script one of the greatest achievements of his career.

The interaction between Vijay and Praggnanandhaa attracted widespread
attention after visuals released by the state government showed the two sharing smiles over a chessboard. According to reports, Praggnanandhaa managed to checkmate the Chief Minister during their friendly encounter. Later speaking to reporters, the Grandmaster described the experience as an unexpected and happy moment.

"We didn't expect this. It was a surprise and a happy moment," Praggnanandhaa said, adding that the Chief Minister appeared to be familiar with the game and told him he used to play chess with friends.The felicitation comes days after Praggnanandhaa achieved what no Indian had accomplished before.

Chief Minister Joseph Vijay played chess with Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa! pic.twitter.com/4qGkV92d4R

— Sreedhar Pillai (@sri50) June 8, 2026

At Norway Chess 2026, held in Oslo, he defeated Germany's Vincent Keymer in the final round to secure the title. His campaign included victories over some of the strongest players in the world, including World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, reigning World Champion D. Gukesh, Alireza Firouzja and Wesley So. Notably, he defeated Carlsen twice during the tournament, a feat that drew praise from chess enthusiasts around the globe.

Even before Monday's felicitation, Chief Minister Vijay had publicly congratulated Praggnanandhaa on his achievement. In a statement issued after the Norway Chess victory, he described the Grandmaster's success as a moment of immense pride for both Tamil Nadu and India.

Vijay highlighted Praggnanandhaa's determination, skill and consistency against some of the world's finest players.

The victory has also earned praise from leaders across the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Praggnanandhaa for reaching what he described as an "incredible milestone" for Indian chess. The achievement has further strengthened India's growing reputation as a global chess powerhouse.

Tamil Nadu, long regarded as the heartland of Indian chess, has played a significant role in nurturing talent in the sport. The state government noted that Praggnanandhaa is a beneficiary of SDAT's Elite Scheme, under which he receives annual financial support.

Officials also highlighted initiatives such as the "Home of Chess" academy in Chennai, established to provide advanced training and international exposure to emerging players.For Praggnanandhaa, the Norway Chess title represents another major chapter in a journey that has inspired millions.

From becoming one of the world's youngest Grandmasters to standing atop one of chess's most prestigious tournaments, the Chennai prodigy continues to carry the hopes of Indian chess onto the global stage.Monday's meeting was more than a ceremonial honour. It reflected the pride of an entire state in one of its brightest sporting stars and served as a reminder of how far Indian chess has come in recent years.