Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday felicitated chess Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa with a cheque of ₹50 lakh from the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), days after the 20-year-old became the first Indian to win the prestigious Norway Chess title.
Vijay, who became CM last month after a blockbuster debut as a politician, handed over the cheque and a memento as a token of appreciation on behalf of SDAT. Minister for public works and sports development Aadhav Arjuna, SDAT member-secretary J Meghanatha Reddy, and the player's parents were among those present.
Praggnanandhaa clinched the Norway Chess 2026 title in Oslo on June 5, winning the 14th edition of the elite tournament. He finished on 18 points after a final-round classical victory over Germany's Vincent Keymer, overtaking American Wesley So, who ended second on 17 points.
Vijay had earlier congratulated Praggnanandhaa in an X post, describing the win as a moment of pride for Tamil Nadu and the nation. He also played a game of chess with Praggnanandhaa and lost.
