Guess Who Won? TN CM Vijay Plays Chess With Praggnanandhaa

by Devansh Singh - 10/06/2026

In any player’s journey, talent and hard work are only half the battle. The other half is the belief and support they receive from the world around them. When R Praggnanandhaa returned to India after becoming the first-ever Indian to win the prestigious Norway Chess 2026, defeating World No.1 Magnus Carlsen twice in the same event. He was welcomed with a massive gesture of encouragement. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay felicitated the young prodigy, presenting him with a cash award of ₹50 lakh on behalf of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT).

Game with Vijay

The most beautiful moment of the meeting wasn't the reward; it was when the Chief Minister sat down to play a friendly game of chess with Pragg. For an athlete, this kind of personal time and state recognition is incredibly important. Knowing that your home state and its leaders stand firmly behind you provides a different kind of mental armour. It transforms a lonely struggle into a shared national pride, proving that when a player wins, an entire ecosystem wins with them.

Guess who won?

Vijay played c3 here. Can you finish the game in 1 move?

Praggnanandhaa with his Mother Nagalakshmi and Father Rameshbabu receiving the award

Sit back and enjoy this amazing interview with the amazing Pragg.

The Big Reveal

After the huge victory at Norway Chess 2026, Praggnanandhaa's trainer, RB Ramesh, revealed that GM Mahel Boyer and GM Joseph Girel from France helped Pragg in his opening preparations over the last couple of years.

Both Joseph Girel and Mahel Boyer played in the 1st Chola Chess GM Round Robin Tournament

Pragg Posted on X

Huge thanks to Mahel and Joseph for their incredible work! Both of them have played a big role in preparation in the last 2 years! Thank you so much, guys!!

Vaibhav's Presence

Behind every big tournament victory is a team that has worked extremely hard. The same is the case for Pragg's victory at the Norway Chess 2026. The biggest effort was surely made by GM Vaibhav Suri, who has firmly established himself as a second and trainer of Pragg and someone who travels with him to all his tournaments.