Praggnanandhaa speaks on Norway Chess, biggest win of his career

Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa, name is a tongue-twister no more. At the Norway Chess championship, he defeated Magnus Carlsen twice to lift the trophy and the first Indian to do so. Photo: Special Arrangement

R. Praggnanandhaa... the name is a tongue-twister no more. The chess world and fans have gotten used to it as the Indian Grandmaster just keeps winning titles and accolades. Beating Magnus Carlsen to the title in his own backyard in a tournament which he has dominated is no mean feat and he did it in style, winning four classical games in a row to storm to the top.“... Winning this is more special and Magnus was there. Also winning four in a row,” Praggnanandhaa told the Indian media after beating German’s Vincent Keymer in the 10th and final round to register a historic maiden triumph in Norway Chess 2026 at Deichman Bjorvika on Friday night.It may or may not be the biggest title of his career thus far, but his history-making victory was a hugely popular one. He was swarmed by fans but managed to please them with autographs and pictures.Carlsen was effusive in praise of the champion and said, “he won the last four classical games. That’s as clutch as it gets. Pragg is an incredible fighter and it is fun to see him get rewarded for that.” The World No.1 lost both his classical games to the Indian GM.Asked what was the reason for the turnaround after two losses in the middle of the tournament and being relegated to last place in the leaderboard, Praggnanandhaa, the first Indian to win Norway Chess, said, “I don’t think there is anything particular I changed. But this conscious effort of playing faster certainly helped in my games. I had more time than my opponent in most of the games.”Going into the final round match against Keymer, he needed a few things to go his way to take the top prize. He had to not only win but the result of overnight leader Wesley So’s game Alireza Firoujza held the key.“I was not sure it would go my way. I still had to do it. I can’t really say one specific game but winning the tournament overall is more special for me,” he said when asked which match he thought was his best in the event.With his mother, who is a constant presence whenever he and his sister R. Vaishali play not around, Praggnanandhaa said she had told him before the match against Firouzja “she was telling me, ‘It’s a new month. You’ll play well.”(The writer is in Oslo at the invitation of Norway Chess.) Published - June 06, 2026 12:46 pm IST