R Praggnanandhaa scripts history, becomes first Indian to win Norway Chess title

New Delhi ( Raghwendra Pratap Singh) : R Praggnanandhaa added another glittering chapter to Indian chess history, becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious Norway Chess title after a remarkable late surge in Oslo. The 20-year-old Grandmaster sealed the crown with a final-round victory over Germany’s Vincent Keymer, completing one of the most memorable comebacks in the tournament’s history.

Praggnanandhaa’s triumph is particularly significant given the quality of the field. The elite tournament featured World No.1 Magnus Carlsen, reigning world champion D Gukesh, Alireza Firouzja, Wesley So and Keymer, making it one of the strongest events on the international calendar.

So kept his title hopes alive by beating Firouzja in Armageddon, but Praggnanandhaa’s final-round victory denied the American the championship. Elsewhere, Carlsen finished a challenging tournament on a high, completing a classical double over Gukesh and overtaking Keymer to secure fourth place.