Praggnanandhaa, starting the day in third place with 15 points, rose to the occasion, achieving a crucial classical win worth three points to finish with 18 points and claim one of the most prestigious trophies in elite chess.
By accomplishing this, the 20-year-old from Chennai achieved something that had previously eluded Indian chess icons like Viswanathan Anand and reigning world champion D Gukesh since the tournament began in 2013.
Praggnanandhaa participated in Norway Chess for only the second time and began slowly in the competitive six-player field before gaining momentum in the latter half of the tournament.
His journey was marked by a standout moment—defeating seven-time Norway Chess champion and World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen twice in classical matches, a rare feat that exemplified his resolve to recover from the disappointment of a lackluster Candidates Tournament in Paphos earlier this year.
As reigning world champion Gukesh exited the competition in the final stages, Praggnanandhaa ensured that India’s aspirations remained alive, ultimately leading to his triumph.
This result came after American Grandmaster Wesley So, who was at the top of the standings with 15.5 points going into the last round, was held to a draw by Alireza Firouzja in their classical game, which pushed their match into an Armageddon tie-break.
This turn of events created an opportunity for Praggnanandhaa, who recognized that a classical victory over Keymer would elevate him to the top of the standings and secure a historic title.
