Praggnanandhaa thanks Adani Group after historic Norway Chess 2025 win
Synopsis
Praggnanandhaa became the first Indian to win the Norway Chess tournament, beating Magnus Carlsen twice and Gukesh Dommaraju along the way — and he credits Adani Group's logistical and financial backing as central to that achievement. At 20, he is redefining what Indian chess can look like at the very top of the world game.
Key Takeaways
R Praggnanandhaa became the first Indian to win the Norway Chess tournament in 2025 .
He defeated World No.
1 Magnus Carlsen twice and beat reigning World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju during the campaign.
The 20-year-old is backed by Adani Sportsline and credited the Adani Group 's support for helping manage logistics and professional challenges.
Gautam Adani congratulated Praggnanandhaa on X , calling the win 'one of the ultimate tests of endurance, intellect, and temperament in the world of chess.' Praggnanandhaa noted that growing corporate involvement in chess benefits all players across the sport.
Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa on 6 June 2025 expressed gratitude to the Adani Group for its backing after he became the first Indian player to win the prestigious Norway Chess tournament, defeating a world-class field that included World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen and reigning World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju. The 20-year-old, supported by Adani Sportsline, completed a remarkable campaign in Norway, finishing ahead of Alireza Firouzja, Wesley So, and Vincent Keymer along the way.
Praggnanandhaa on Corporate Support
'The support system is essential to succeeding in any field, and I'm grateful that I've received support from the Adani Group. For a chess player, managing all the logistics and everything is certainly an issue, and that's where the Adani Group's support is helping me,' Praggnanandhaa said in an interaction.
The Grandmaster emphasised that the relationship goes well beyond a conventional sponsorship arrangement. 'It feels more like, you know, since they've been supporting me, whenever there are any issues, they're always there to help me and support me. So I'm truly grateful to them for all their support, and yeah, I'm happy that, you know, new corporates are coming into the game and supporting players, and I think all the players are always grateful for the support from corporates,' he added.
What Made the Norway Chess Campaign Historic
Praggnanandhaa's triumph in Norway is widely regarded as one of the most significant results in Indian chess since Gukesh claimed the World Championship title. Notably, Praggnanandhaa defeated Carlsen twice during the tournament and also registered a crucial victory over Gukesh en route to the title — a result that underlines his growing stature among the world's elite.
This is the first time an Indian player has lifted the Norway Chess trophy, a tournament considered one of the sport's most demanding tests given the calibre of its annual invitee list.
Adani Group's Response
Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, congratulated Praggnanandhaa in a post on X on Saturday, calling the achievement 'one of the ultimate tests of endurance, intellect, and temperament in the world of chess.' Adani wrote: 'To defeat the world's absolute best on one of chess's grandest stages is a remarkable feat. But what makes it even more special is the spirit with which Pragg plays. Fearless - Focused - Deeply Indian. @rpraggnachess, you represent the confidence of a rising, youthful India. The entire nation is incredibly proud of you, Pragg.'
Corporate Backing and the Broader Chess Ecosystem
Praggnanandhaa's comments reflect a wider shift in Indian sport, where corporate houses are increasingly stepping in to bridge the gap between raw talent and elite performance. Logistics, travel, coaching infrastructure, and tournament preparation — areas that have historically strained individual athletes — are now being addressed through structured sponsorship programmes such as Adani Sportsline.
This comes amid a golden phase for Indian chess, with multiple players ranked in the world's top 20 and the national team having won the Chess Olympiad in recent years. As Praggnanandhaa continues to rise, the interplay between institutional support and on-board brilliance will remain a defining thread of his story.
Point of View
But the subtext here is structural: elite Indian chess has quietly built a corporate support architecture that rivals what Indian cricket and badminton enjoy. Adani Sportsline's role — handling logistics so athletes can focus entirely on performance — is precisely the model that has been missing from Indian chess for decades. The risk is dependency: if corporate interest wanes, so does the infrastructure. India needs a diversified funding base for chess, not a single-patron model, however generous.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Praggnanandhaa and why is his Norway Chess win historic?
R Praggnanandhaa is a 20-year-old Indian Grandmaster who became the first Indian player to win the Norway Chess tournament in 2025. The victory is historic because Norway Chess features the world's top players annually, and Praggnanandhaa defeated both World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen — twice — and reigning World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju to claim the title.
What role does the Adani Group play in Praggnanandhaa's chess career?
The Adani Group, through its sports arm Adani Sportsline, sponsors Praggnanandhaa and provides logistical and professional support. Praggnanandhaa has said the backing helps him manage travel, logistics, and other off-board challenges so he can focus on competitive chess.
What did Gautam Adani say about Praggnanandhaa's win?
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani posted on X calling the Norway Chess victory 'one of the ultimate tests of endurance, intellect, and temperament in the world of chess.' He described Praggnanandhaa as 'Fearless - Focused - Deeply Indian' and said the nation was 'incredibly proud' of him.
Which players did Praggnanandhaa beat at Norway Chess 2025?
Praggnanandhaa defeated World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen twice during the tournament and also beat reigning World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju. He finished ahead of a field that also included Alireza Firouzja, Wesley So, and Vincent Keymer.
Why is corporate support important for Indian chess players?
Praggnanandhaa has highlighted that managing logistics, travel, and professional infrastructure is a significant challenge for chess players. Corporate sponsors like Adani Sportsline address these off-board demands, allowing players to concentrate on training and competition at the highest level.
