Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay met chess grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa on Monday, June 8, after the player’s victory at Norway Chess 2026. During the meeting at the Chief Secretariat, the Chief Minister gave Praggnanandhaa a cash reward of 50 lakh rupees from the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu to mark the achievement. Praggnanandhaa later told reporters that the Chief Minister had played a chess game with him. The grandmaster said he had not expected the match and noted that he won the 15-minute game. He described the Chief Minister as supportive and encouraging. The 20-year-old player won the Norway Chess title by defeating Germany’s Vincent Keymer in the final round after a strong comeback. The event included top competitors such as the world number one, the reigning world champion, and other leading grandmasters. Praggnanandhaa had earlier beaten several strong opponents, including the world number one and the world champion, before securing the title with a win in the last round.
