CM C Joseph Vijay Presents Rs 50 Lakh to Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay met with Chess Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa at the Secretariat in Chennai on Monday to celebrate the player's historic victory at the Norway Chess 2026 tournament. During the meeting, the Chief Minister played a brief game of chess with the Grandmaster and presented him with a Rs 50 lakh cash incentive.
Praggnanandhaa, who recently became the first Indian to win the prestigious Norway Chess title in Oslo, arrived at the Secretariat accompanied by his family members. During their interaction, Chief Minister Vijay made a symbolic move on a chessboard as the young Grandmaster looked on, with state officials and family members observing the moment.
Following their game, the Chief Minister handed over a cheque of Rs 50 lakh to Praggnanandhaa. The financial incentive was presented on behalf of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) to recognize his remarkable achievement on the global stage. During the event, the Chennai-born Grandmaster also displayed his Norway Chess trophy and received official congratulations from the Chief Minister.
The state government highlighted that this incentive is part of its broader initiative to support local sportspersons through financial assistance, infrastructure development, and incentives. Praggnanandhaa is a long-standing beneficiary of the state's sports programs, currently receiving an annual assistance of Rs 30 lakh under the SDAT's Elite Scheme.
In addition to individual incentives, the government emphasized its commitment to developing chess in the state. It has established the "Home of Chess" academy at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, which aims to provide advanced coaching, performance monitoring, and international-level exposure to upcoming players.
Praggnanandhaa's triumph in Oslo is considered one of the most significant milestones in Indian chess history, marking the first time an Indian player has secured the Norway Chess title.
