Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win the Norway Chess Championship, defeating Germany’s Vincent Keymer in the tenth and final round on Friday.
The 20-year-old from Chennai secured a classical win worth three points to finish with a total of 18 points, clinching one of the most prestigious trophies in elite chess.
Competing in Norway Chess for only the second time, Praggnanandhaa had a slow start but gathered momentum in the second half of the tournament. Notably, he defeated seven-time Norway Chess champion and former World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen twice in classical games. He ensured India’s challenge alive after reigning World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju fell out of contention in the closing stages.
Praggnanandhaa’s path to the title was further eased when American Grandmaster Wesley So, who led the standings with 15.5 points heading into the final round, was held to a draw against Alireza Firouzja, sending their contest into a tie-break. Although So won the Armageddon tie-break, the victory was worth only 1.5 points, bringing his total to 17 points—one short of Praggnanandhaa’s winning score of 18.
Firouzja finished third with 13 points, while Carlsen ended with 13 points from three wins, four losses, and three draws. Keymer came fifth with 11 points, and Gukesh finished sixth and last with eight points, recording one win, five losses, and four draws.
Remarkably, Praggnanandhaa was sixth and last in the standings after the sixth round, but a spectacular streak of four consecutive wins—including his second victory over Carlsen—propelled him to the championship.
