Oslo, June 6, 2026: Indian Grandmaster and Adani Sportsline’s “Garv Hai” athlete, R Praggnanandhaa, etched his name in chess history by becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious Norway Chess 2026 title.
The 20-year-old produced a remarkable performance against an elite field that included World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, reigning World Champion Gukesh D, Alireza Firouzja, Wesley So and Vincent Keymer.
Praggnanandhaa’s title-winning campaign was highlighted by two victories over Carlsen and a crucial classical win against Gukesh. Entering the final round in contention for the championship, he drew with fellow Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi before securing victory in the Armageddon tiebreak, a result that helped him finish at the top of the standings.
Widely regarded as the “Wimbledon of Chess,” Norway Chess is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the sport. Despite India’s rich chess legacy, neither Viswanathan Anand nor Gukesh had previously won the title, making Praggnanandhaa’s achievement even more significant.
The historic triumph further cements Praggnanandhaa’s status among the world’s brightest chess talents and reflects the growing strength of Indian chess on the global stage. His success is expected to inspire a new generation of young players across the country.
