New Delhi, June 6: Indian chess player Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa achieved a remarkable victory in the Norway Chess Event, clinching the title after a stellar performance against Germany’s Vincent Keymer in the final round. Following this historic win, a wave of congratulations has poured in for the young talent. India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, also extended his best wishes to Praggnanandhaa.
Dr. Jaishankar took to social media platform X, stating, “Winning the Norway Chess Championship is a fantastic achievement for Praggnanandhaa. Your successes have made India proud.”
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated Praggnanandhaa, writing, “Congratulations to Praggnanandhaa on this splendid achievement! This is truly a remarkable milestone that showcases his consistent excellence. Best wishes for his future endeavors.”
In response to PM Modi’s message, the chess player expressed his gratitude, saying, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I feel honored by your wishes. Representing India and bringing home the Norway Chess title is a great privilege for me. Your continuous encouragement inspires me to work harder and keep making our country proud.”
Praggnanandhaa capitalized on Keymer’s mistakes, securing victory with white pieces on the 45th move. He concluded the tournament with five wins, two losses, and two draws, totaling 18 points. The outcomes of his two drawn matches were decided in the Armageddon game, where he emerged victorious.
After being at the bottom of the standings following the sixth round, Praggnanandhaa made a stunning comeback. He won four consecutive classical matches, making history in the process. During this run, he defeated world number one Magnus Carlsen for the second time in the tournament and achieved a significant win against D. Gukesh. He became only the second player since 2021 to win four consecutive classical matches in Norway Chess, a feat previously accomplished by Magnus Carlsen.
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