CHENNAI: Chief minister C Joseph Vijay played a game of chess with grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa at the Secretariat on Monday before presenting him with a Rs 50 lakh incentive for his historic triumph at the Norway Chess 2026 tournament. Praggnanandhaa, who recently became the first Indian to win the prestigious Norway Chess title in Oslo, met the chief minister along with his family members. During the interaction, Vijay made a move on the chessboard as the Grandmaster looked on, while officials and family members watched. The chief minister later handed over a cheque for Rs 50 lakh on behalf of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) in recognition of Praggnanandhaa’s achievement. The Grandmaster also displayed the Norway Chess trophy and received the chief minister’s congratulations. The state government said it has been extending support to sportspersons through financial assistance, incentives, and infrastructure development. Praggnanandhaa is also a beneficiary of SDAT’s Elite Scheme, under which he receives annual assistance of Rs 30 lakh. Highlighting Tamil Nadu’s focus on chess development, the government noted that it has established the “Home of Chess” academy at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai to provide advanced coaching, performance monitoring, and international-level exposure to young players. Praggnanandhaa’s victory at Norway Chess is regarded as one of the biggest milestones in Indian chess, with the Chennai-born Grandmaster becoming the first Indian to lift the title.
