- Young Grandmaster becomes the first Indian ever to win the prestigious Norway Chess Championship, defeating the world’s finest in a defining moment for Indian chess.
- Adani Sportsline’s “Garv Hai” athlete outplays World No.1 Magnus Carlsen twice and registers a decisive classical victory over reigning World Champion Gukesh D en route to the historic crown.
- The landmark triumph underlines the emergence of a fearless new generation of Indian chess champions dominating the global stage.
- Backed by Adani Sportsline’s “Garv Hai” initiative, Praggnanandhaa’s Oslo masterpiece stands as one of the most significant achievements in India’s modern sporting history.
NE SPORTS BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, JUNE 6
In a feat destined to occupy a special place in Indian sporting history, Adani Sportsline’s “Garv Hai” athlete Praggnanandhaa R became the first Indian ever to win Norway Chess, conquering one of the world’s toughest and most prestigious tournaments after a breathtaking campaign in Oslo.
The 20-year-old Grandmaster finished ahead of an elite field featuring World No.1 Magnus Carlsen, reigning World Champion Gukesh D, Alireza Firouzja, Wesley So and Vincent Keymer, achieving what no Indian chess legend had managed before. His remarkable journey included two victories over Carlsen and a pivotal classical win against Gukesh D, cementing his place among the game’s modern greats.
Entering the final round with the title within reach, Praggnanandhaa held fellow Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi to a draw before clinching the Armageddon tiebreak. Results elsewhere sealed a historic championship triumph, crowning him as the first Indian champion of the tournament widely regarded as the “Wimbledon of Chess.”
Congratulating the young champion, Gautam Adani, Chairman, Adani Group, described the achievement as a defining moment for Indian sport. He said becoming the first Indian to win Norway Chess was “one of the ultimate tests of endurance, intellect and temperament in the world of chess.” Mr. Adani, who recognised Praggnanandhaa’s extraordinary potential early in his career and supported him through Adani Sportsline’s “Garv Hai” initiative, observed that defeating the world’s best players on one of chess’s grandest stages was a remarkable feat. He praised the Grandmaster’s fearless, focused and deeply Indian spirit, adding that Praggnanandhaa embodied the confidence of a rising young India and that the entire nation was immensely proud of his achievement.
Pranav Adani, Director, Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), said: “Praggnanandhaa’s achievement in becoming the first Indian to win Norway Chess, one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world, is a proud moment for Indian chess and Indian sport. We are incredibly proud of him and all that he has achieved in Oslo. He continues to make giant strides for Indian chess and Indian sport and his journey will inspire countless young boys and girls across the country to take up chess and pursue their dreams with confidence. We wish him continued success in the years ahead.”
Established in 2013, Norway Chess is regarded as one of the strongest tournaments on the international circuit. Despite India’s illustrious chess legacy and repeated participation by several elite Indian Grandmasters, neither five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand nor reigning World Champion Gukesh D had previously captured the coveted title, making Praggnanandhaa’s achievement even more extraordinary.
The championship also showcased his remarkable resilience, with the Chennai-born prodigy repeatedly bouncing back from setbacks through clinical victories and exceptional composure under pressure.
His two wins over Magnus Carlsen were especially significant, placing him among an exclusive group of players to defeat the Norwegian superstar twice in the same tournament while also making him one of the few players to record three classical victories over the five-time World Champion.
The historic triumph further reinforces India’s growing dominance in world chess, with a fearless new generation of Grandmasters consistently challenging and defeating the sport’s biggest names on the global stage.
Praggnanandhaa continues to receive support from Adani Sportsline through its “Garv Hai” initiative, which nurtures India’s emerging sporting champions by providing financial assistance, international exposure and structured mentorship—an investment now yielding one of the greatest milestones in Indian chess history.
