Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa has become the first Indian Grandmaster to win the prestigious Norway Chess title, completing one of the most dramatic comebacks in the tournament's history. The 20-year-old from Chennai sealed the championship on 6 June 2025 in Stavanger, finishing on 18 points after winning four consecutive games from last place following the sixth round.

The Comeback That Defined the Tournament

Praggnanandhaa's campaign appeared in serious trouble midway through the event — he sat at the bottom of the standings after six rounds. What followed was a remarkable reversal: four straight victories that propelled him from last place into title contention. His run included two wins over World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen and a decisive victory over reigning World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju.

He sealed the title in the final round with a win over Germany's Vincent Keymer, finishing ahead of American Grandmaster Wesley So. The triumph is widely regarded as the finest achievement of his career to date.

Praggnanandhaa on Beating Carlsen — and Learning From Losses

'Only the wins get a lot of attention,' Praggnanandhaa said, reflecting on his record against Carlsen. 'But I think, you know, he is such a great player that every time I play with him, I always learn a lot.' He described Carlsen as someone he 'grew up watching' and acknowledged the Norwegian's sustained dominance over global chess for 15 years as 'just amazing.'

On the turning point in the tournament, Praggnanandhaa said beating Carlsen mid-event was the moment his belief shifted: 'Once I beat Magnus, it gave me a lot of confidence, and I felt that I could actually do it.'

Handling Pressure and Mistakes at the Board

Asked about his mental process after making an error during a game, Praggnanandhaa offered a candid response. 'Regretting a mistake is the last thing you want to do in chess,' he said. He noted that mistakes tend to compound — 'you can see mistakes come in pairs' — and emphasised that the discipline of moving on is something even experienced players must consciously practise.

He singled out his final two games as the best chess he played in the tournament. 'I felt a lot more in control. I don't think I made any mistakes as such. Playing a controlled game in such a situation is something I always want to do,' he said.

What This Victory Means for His Career

Praggnanandhaa said the manner of the win — coming back from last place and performing in clutch moments — was what he would carry forward. 'This tournament victory shows me that I can do all these things. That is what I take away from this event,' he said.

He also acknowledged the logistical support provided by the Adani Group, describing corporate backing as 'essential to succeeding in any field' and expressing hope that more corporates would invest in chess players.

What's Next

With this victory, Praggnanandhaa cements his standing among the world's elite and raises expectations ahead of future classical events. His ability to beat both the sitting World Champion and the world's top-ranked player in the same tournament signals a new phase in his development — one that India's chess community will be watching closely.