Oslo: India made history in chess. R Pragyanananda became the first Indian chess player to win the Norway Chess title. The grandmaster defeated Germany’s Vincent Keimer in the final round on Friday. No Indian had won the title before Pragyananand.

Pragyanananda, who was placed third with 15 points at the start of the day, gave his best at the most important moment. A great win in the classical category earned 3 points from there. This 20-year-old chess player won one of the most traditional titles in the history of chess with a total of 18 points. Pragyanananda participated in this tournament for the second time. And won the title for the second time.

Prajnananda’s most notable turning point in this tournament was defeating the seven-time Norwegian chess champion and world number 1 chess legend Magnus Carlsen twice in classical chess. Reigning world champion Gukesh fell out of the title race at the last stage, but Pragyananand fought to the end to shine for India.

In the last round, playing with white knuckles, Carlsen defeated Prajnananda in classical chess and earned 3 points. But even this victory was not enough for Carlsen to clinch the title. He finished fifth in the points standings with 13 points.

India’s recent results in chess have been excellent. After Bishwanath Anand many new faces are constantly emerging as grandmasters. India won the Women’s World Cup last year. This country won the women’s world cup for the first time. Divya Deshmukh made that history. Lost another Indian. After the match, tears can be seen in Divya’s eyes. She hugged her mother and cried for a long time. “Before the tournament, I was just thinking that from here I might be promoted to play in the Grandmasters,” he said. But at the end of the tournament I am the grandmaster now. There can be no better feeling than that.”

Divya snatched victory against Kenneru Hampi, who was way ahead of her in the rankings. Two-time world rapid champion Hampi is currently world number 5 in classical chess. On the other hand, Divya is ranked 18th. But in the end Hampi had to be defeated in front of youth. After 34 moves, Hampi was awarded by Divya.