Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay engaged in a friendly game of chess with Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa in Chennai on Monday. The 20-year-old chess prodigy, who recently won the prestigious Norway Chess 2026 title, was invited by the CM for a brief match.
CM Vijay's Chess Challenge
According to sources, Vijay asked Praggnanandhaa to bring a chessboard and played a game with the grandmaster, who has been on a winning spree. The interaction highlighted the CM's interest in the sport and his support for young talent.
Financial Reward for Praggnanandhaa
During the meeting, Vijay also awarded Praggnanandhaa a cheque of Rs 50 lakh on behalf of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu. This reward recognized the grandmaster's achievement in winning the Norway Chess 2026 title, a significant milestone in his career.
The event was covered by ANI, which shared a video of the CM presenting the award. The video shows Vijay and Praggnanandhaa engaged in a lighthearted conversation before the chess match.
Praggnanandhaa has been making waves in the international chess circuit, and his recent victory in Norway has brought pride to the country. The Tamil Nadu government's gesture underscores its commitment to promoting sports and nurturing local talent.
