Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay felicitated Grandmaster R. Praggnanandha was felicitated by on Monday. On this occasion, CM Vijay was presented with a cash award of Rs. 50 lakh to Grandmaster R. Praggnanandha.

Grandmaster R. Praggnanandha won the Norway Chess Tournament which was held in Oslo. He became the first Indian to win the prestigious Norway Chess Tournament. He achieved a rare feat by winning twice in the classical format against world number 1 and homegrown player Magnus Carlsen.

CM Vijay specially congratulated Praggnanandha for his intelligence and composure, which has made the country and the state proud on the international stage. Later, CM Vijay played chess with Praggnanandha for a while and encouraged him. This interesting incident impressed the people present there.  State Ministers Aadhav Arjuna, Sports Development Corporation Member Secretary J. Meghnatha Reddy, Praggnanandha’s parents and other senior officials participated in the event.