Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay honored Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa with a cash prize of ₹50 lakh for his historic win at the Norway Chess tournament, where he became the first Indian to claim the title. The award presentation occurred at the Secretariat in Chennai, shortly after Praggnanandhaa's victory over Germany's Vincent Keymer in the final round in Oslo. Following the ceremony, Vijay invited the 20-year-old Grandmaster to play a friendly game of chess in his office. The Chief Minister was fully engaged in the game, even standing up to make strategic moves. Praggnanandhaa expressed surprise at Vijay's chess skills, stating he had not expected the Chief Minister to be a player. He noted the match was unexpected and enjoyable, highlighting that Vijay plays chess with friends. Praggnanandhaa, who also overcame world-class players like Magnus Carlsen during the tournament, referred to his Norway Chess triumph as the most significant achievement of his career, marking a notable moment in Indian chess history.