R. Praggnanandhaa scripted one of the most remarkable chapters in Indian chess history by becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious Norway Chess tournament, a feat that had eluded even legends like Viswanathan Anand and reigning World Champion D. Gukesh since the tournament's inception in 2013. The 20-year-old from Chennai entered the final round needing nothing short of a win. He began the day in second place with 15 points, delivered a classical victory worth three points against Germany's Vincent Keymer, and finished on 18 points to claim the title. American Grandmaster Wesley So, who had led for much of the tournament, was edged out by a single point after drawing his final game against Alireza Firouzja. 

In the first six rounds, Praggnanandhaa lost three classical games, with Wesley So clearly leading the field. What followed was a stunning reversal of fortune: four consecutive classical wins, including victories over Alireza Firouzja, Magnus Carlsen, World Champion D. Gukesh, and finally Vincent Keymer in the must-win final round. Competing in Norway Chess for only the second time, the young Grandmaster endured a slow start in the elite six-player field before gaining momentum in the second half of the event. 

In the post-match conversation, Praggnanandhaa reflected, "I was speaking to my mother on June 1, before Alireza's game, and she was telling me, 'it's a new month, you'll play well!' It's just one of those things that mum always says, and then these four games I won. She knew something, I guess," Magnus Carlsen praised the young Indian's performance, describing his title-winning run as "incredible" and applauding his ability to deliver under pressure. 

Carlsen also helped Praggnanandhaa push his rating back above 2750 and further cements India's extraordinary dominance on the global chess stage,  a country that now holds the World Championship title, and can proudly call Norway Chess its own.