Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Meets Chess Prodigy R Praggnanandhaa, Awards Rs 50 Lakh For Norway Chess 2026 Title
Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Tamil Nadu chief minister Vijay met Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa on Monday, June 8. The chief minister awarded the chess prodigy Rs 50 lakh on behalf of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu after the chess player won the Norway Chess 2026 title.
The 20-year-old chess master became the first Indian to win the prestigious Norway Chess tournament on June 6. Notably, after the facilitation, a light-hearted chess match between the Chief Minister and the newly crowned champion quickly grabbed public attention.
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The two is seen standing across a table with a chessboard between them, making their moves. Praggnanandhaa emerged victorious, as expected. Praggnanandhaa later admitted that he was surprised by Vijay’s interest in the game.
“I didn’t expect it. I haven’t heard from anyone that he plays chess. He asked me to bring the board. We assembled the pieces and began playing impromptu. He played well. I asked him when he plays chess. He said he plays with his friends. I won, but I didn’t expect he would play that well,” Praggnanandhaa said while speaking to media.
மாண்புமிகு தமிழ்நாடு முதலமைச்சர் திரு. ச.ஜோசப் விஜய் அவர்கள் இன்று (8.6.2026) தலைமைச் செயலகத்தில், நார்வே தலைநகர் ஆஸ்லோவில் நடைபெற்ற நார்வே செஸ் 2026 தொடரில் முதல் இந்தியராகப் பட்டத்தை வென்று, வரலாற்றுச் சாதனை படைத்த கிராண்ட்மாஸ்டர் ஆர். பிரக்ஞானந்தாவிற்கு உயரிய ஊக்கத் தொகையாக… pic.twitter.com/70mQS6flmc
— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) June 8, 2026
