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Indian chess prodigy Grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa is the Norway Chess 2026 Champion
Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa is the Norway Chess 2026 Champion. With a must-win victory over Vincent Keymer in the final round, Pragg finished on 18/30 points, defeated World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen twice in classical chess, and closed the tournament with an incredible four-game winning streak. Congratulations to Pragg, his team, and his family on the biggest achievement of his career so far.
Interview with R Praggnanandhaa
Interviewer: Wow, congratulations! You just won a tournament. How do you feel?
Praggnanandhaa: Um, yeah, I still don't feel like I... I've just won. Um, yeah, I mean once I started... like, started feeling like I'm winning, I started to feel a lot of uh... um, like a lot of tension. I... I do feel like some sort of... I... I'm still... I'm still in that same zone, I think.
Interviewer: And how does it feel to win four classical games in a row?
Praggnanandhaa: Um, yeah, it's much more important that I win the tournament than winning four classical games .
Interviewer: Huge congratulations to you. You won the Norway Chess, you also won the Vasi, but how special is this win? Would you say this one is better?
Praggnanandhaa: Um, yeah, for sure. The... I mean, the field was stronger and also um... doing it in a tournament with Magnus, also doing it in this style—winning four games—is yeah, it's more special. Yeah, I'm... I think at this point I'm... I can't really... yeah, I can't really express. I'm just, yeah, super happy .
Interviewer: Talking about the four-win scenario, I think that's insane. I don't think we have seen that before. What changed after the two losses and, you know, you just were on fire?
Praggnanandhaa: Um, yeah, it's funny because I mean the same question I have been asked in like four different interviews, so uh... I think everyone wants to know that. Like, what... no, nothing changed. I think the conscious effort to play faster... um, we did discuss a bit with Vaibhav after that loss, just, you know, play a bit more faster and have more time . And I think that certainly... I don't think I got down to seconds in any of those games, and I was always having like more time than my opponent, so that certainly helps.
Interviewer: And what was your routine like here, like in Norway? Did... do you add anything, something to your preparation like apart from the chess element?
Praggnanandhaa: No, nothing specific. Um, yeah, just doing my... doing my usual, trying to rest also because I just played in Bucharest, so that... that's something that um... I took a little extra care of, but nothing special.
Interviewer: Just a couple of questions about the game today. Uh, Vincent played this Knight to c6, which seemed to be like a new uh... move in that position. Did you... you took a lot of time after that, so did you... did you know that?
Praggnanandhaa: I think it's just a move to get me out of book. Um, I don't think there is any particular reason to it. Um, yeah, no, I... I... I don't know, like Knight c6 is just a move to get me out of book. And yeah, it's not something you usually play and want... you don't want the knight on c6. But I think um... yeah, he was just trying to get me out of book, and I... I think I still like, kept playing logical moves. I think the important moment was when he took Bishop a3, because that kind of like, changes the character of the position, which I... I missed earlier. But uh, I think then like, I got a risk-free position which I could push, and then I... yeah, somehow slowly started going wrong for him.
Interviewer: Do you think h5 was like... like after that, there was no chance?
Praggnanandhaa: Yeah, I didn't realize it immediately, but like once I spotted Knight f3, I felt like it should be winning. Like, it's closer to a win than... than a draw. But I still had to make sure because there is also a threat near me and my king—like some g5, h4, Knight g3 could always come. But once I played Rook f8, I realized I should.
Interviewer: And before coming to today's game, like there were a lot of, you know, calculations—like if you had won and Wesley also had won, you know, there are a lot of chances of that. Like, how did you approach today's game?
Praggnanandhaa: I just had to win, so I... there's nothing I can do about Wesley's game. I thought I'll try my best and I'll try to fight and I'll win, and if Wesley wins then okay, I can't do anything. So um, yeah, but yeah, I just... I mean, I just wanted to do what I can do.
Interviewer: Were you really keeping an eye on his game as well, like during yours, or just... just playing your game?
Praggnanandhaa: I was looking at some point. Like, I liked Wesley's positions, but it always looked uh... okay. And then suddenly it was a draw, which uh... yeah, which I didn't expect . But I think at that point, I didn't really have a decision to take. I was just playing and putting pressure, so.
Interviewer: Uh, how much is Vaibhav's contribution here? I spoke to him, he was really happy. You two guys worked... very nice to see you guys working here.
Praggnanandhaa: Um, yeah, he was working uh... every day. Um, I think yeah, we were getting like, every day we were getting our prep... prep in the game. So um, I mean also, I think for this time control, if like... if you know one more move extra, it already means like, you... you save like at least 5 minutes or something on the clock, so um... I think our prep was also good.
Interviewer: And I asked how you're going to celebrate. He told me you're going to... you have a ritual where you eat dessert after, like, a win or something. So is that going to continue here as well?
Praggnanandhaa: Yeah, I mean it's something that I don't do like... Vaibhav started to... started, I mean, wanted me to do. So I remember we had it in Bucharest, and also we had it in US Cup, I think. So yeah, we do try to have this. So maybe we should find some place.
Interviewer: Wonderful, again congratulations Prag, and all the very best.
Praggnanandhaa: Thank you.
Part 2: Interview with Coach Vaibhav Suri
Interviewer: Huge congratulations to you. This is a very special moment for you. Do you think this is one of the best moments as a second?
Vaibhav Suri: In uh... every day like Prag wins, I think I'm... I'm super happy. Fourth classical win in a row—I don't remember the last time this happened. Uh, the opposition it happened against is incredible. I think everyone was 2760 plus, including a win over Magnus with black pieces. So um, yeah, this... you don't get to see this often. But I think Prag played exceptionally well, uh... and a lot of uh... things worked out. I think we... we got a lot of things we planned, so very happy to see that.
And uh, extremely elated honestly to uh... see how it all transpired because I think after round seven he was at the bottom of the... of the table. And to then uh... score so many wins and finish at the top, that too without a tiebreak... um, yeah, it... it... it is, it really is something.
Interviewer: What changed after that two-loss streak and after that like, he was, you know, unstoppable? What exactly changed?
Vaibhav Suri: I am not entirely sure, but I think at some point you just realize that uh... 'I... I want to win' and you just go after it. And I think that's what happened uh... with Prag. Also, uh... you do need like a... a little bit of luck for sure. Uh, he did have some of it, uh... so... but I think uh... when you're positioned this way, your headspace is good, uh... some things do uh... uh, they go your way, right?
So um, yeah, I... I honestly don't know what really worked. Uh, I... I think there were some very interesting moments in between the games, uh... a lot for us to take away uh... and learn from. So, uh, yeah, I'm keeping like a close eye. But yeah, right now we are really going to celebrate uh... this win because it... it has come after a small period of uh... stagnation, or let's say uh... second half of last year and the first half didn't really uh... go so well. But to win in this tournament... um, la... um, yeah, last four wins, again, two wins against Magnus. Yeah, I am extremely happy. I don't know how much emotion he shows, I am really going to celebrate, uh... yeah.
Interviewer: So how is the celebration going to be like? Are you... do you have anything planned like before?
Vaibhav Suri: Well, not really. Uh, I think so, we have a small tradition since last year, uh... after every uh... tournament he won—Bucharest, a few others last year—we... we do go for like a dessert treat because he usually doesn't eat dessert. So that's like a small indulgence.
Interviewer: Any particular dessert in... like favorite, his favorites?
Vaibhav Suri: Uh, I don't... I don't think so. It's just like, you celebrate, you... it's just a way to celebrate like a person and their win. So yeah, that's I think what we're going to do, and probably I'll take an extra one today because yeah, it is not a small feat. So but yeah, kudos to him, he... he played incredibly well and uh... not just playing well, but coming back after uh... those two losses uh... shows like the strength of his character, and it's not something that uh... you know, you get to see that often. So uh, a lot of small little things go into uh... these things. But yeah, um... at this point I'm just like super happy and um... yeah, we'll... we'll celebrate surely. And hopefully this is the start for like a new uh... wave of wins in the future.
Interviewer: How was the approach before coming to today's game? Because, you know, Wesley was also leading and Ali... like, both... all the three had like equal chances of winning today. What was the approach coming to the classical game? Did you have any game plan for today?
Vaibhav Suri: Uh, for sure. Uh, I think a lot depended on uh... Wesley and Alireza's match, but uh... the best what we could do was uh... we... we just wanted to put like as much pressure as possible on Vincent as early on as possible. And Prag played a really good game—small edge I think he got from the opening and um... he was pushing, and then Vincent sort of collapsed, which is slightly unusual for uh... Vincent. But um, yeah, you position yourself, you get the chances, you take them, and that's where wins come from. So I think it was a very smooth win.
Interviewer: Um, and how... how was your routine like in Norway Chess?
Vaibhav Suri: Uh, we usually go for like small walks. In general, Prag in general is a very curious individual, I think. So we talk about a lot of things other than chess also. Um, so it's just a way to unwind yourself. Uh, the area around the library is really good, so we walk around here for a bit after the games just to unwind, relax, and get the head a little out of the game. Um, so yeah, nothing special as such, but um... these small little things I think do help because otherwise you're just in front of the laptop and screen uh... all day and um... yeah, you need like to unwind, uh... relax, and detach a little.
Interviewer: Yes sir, thank you to you as well.
Interview with R Praggnanandhaa
Interviewer: Wow, congratulations! You just won a tournament. How do you feel?
Praggnanandhaa: Um, yeah, I still don't feel like I... I've just won. Um, yeah, I mean once I started... like, started feeling like I'm winning, I started to feel a lot of uh... um, like a lot of tension. I... I do feel like some sort of... I... I'm still... I'm still in that same zone, I think.
Interviewer: And how does it feel to win four classical games in a row?
Praggnanandhaa: Um, yeah, it's much more important that I win the tournament than winning four classical games .
Interviewer: Huge congratulations to you. You won the Norway Chess, you also won the Vasi, but how special is this win? Would you say this one is better?
Praggnanandhaa: Um, yeah, for sure. The... I mean, the field was stronger and also um... doing it in a tournament with Magnus, also doing it in this style—winning four games—is yeah, it's more special. Yeah, I'm... I think at this point I'm... I can't really... yeah, I can't really express. I'm just, yeah, super happy .
Interviewer: Talking about the four-win scenario, I think that's insane. I don't think we have seen that before. What changed after the two losses and, you know, you just were on fire?
Praggnanandhaa: Um, yeah, it's funny because I mean the same question I have been asked in like four different interviews, so uh... I think everyone wants to know that. Like, what... no, nothing changed. I think the conscious effort to play faster... um, we did discuss a bit with Vaibhav after that loss, just, you know, play a bit more faster and have more time . And I think that certainly... I don't think I got down to seconds in any of those games, and I was always having like more time than my opponent, so that certainly helps.
Interviewer: And what was your routine like here, like in Norway? Did... do you add anything, something to your preparation like apart from the chess element?
Praggnanandhaa: No, nothing specific. Um, yeah, just doing my... doing my usual, trying to rest also because I just played in Bucharest, so that... that's something that um... I took a little extra care of, but nothing special.
Interviewer: Just a couple of questions about the game today. Uh, Vincent played this Knight to c6, which seemed to be like a new uh... move in that position. Did you... you took a lot of time after that, so did you... did you know that?
Praggnanandhaa: I think it's just a move to get me out of book. Um, I don't think there is any particular reason to it. Um, yeah, no, I... I... I don't know, like Knight c6 is just a move to get me out of book. And yeah, it's not something you usually play and want... you don't want the knight on c6. But I think um... yeah, he was just trying to get me out of book, and I... I think I still like, kept playing logical moves. I think the important moment was when he took Bishop a3, because that kind of like, changes the character of the position, which I... I missed earlier. But uh, I think then like, I got a risk-free position which I could push, and then I... yeah, somehow slowly started going wrong for him.
Interviewer: Do you think h5 was like... like after that, there was no chance?
Praggnanandhaa: Yeah, I didn't realize it immediately, but like once I spotted Knight f3, I felt like it should be winning. Like, it's closer to a win than... than a draw. But I still had to make sure because there is also a threat near me and my king—like some g5, h4, Knight g3 could always come. But once I played Rook f8, I realized I should.
Interviewer: And before coming to today's game, like there were a lot of, you know, calculations—like if you had won and Wesley also had won, you know, there are a lot of chances of that. Like, how did you approach today's game?
Praggnanandhaa: I just had to win, so I... there's nothing I can do about Wesley's game. I thought I'll try my best and I'll try to fight and I'll win, and if Wesley wins then okay, I can't do anything. So um, yeah, but yeah, I just... I mean, I just wanted to do what I can do.
Interviewer: Were you really keeping an eye on his game as well, like during yours, or just... just playing your game?
Praggnanandhaa: I was looking at some point. Like, I liked Wesley's positions, but it always looked uh... okay. And then suddenly it was a draw, which uh... yeah, which I didn't expect . But I think at that point, I didn't really have a decision to take. I was just playing and putting pressure, so.
Interviewer: Uh, how much is Vaibhav's contribution here? I spoke to him, he was really happy. You two guys worked... very nice to see you guys working here.
Praggnanandhaa: Um, yeah, he was working uh... every day. Um, I think yeah, we were getting like, every day we were getting our prep... prep in the game. So um, I mean also, I think for this time control, if like... if you know one more move extra, it already means like, you... you save like at least 5 minutes or something on the clock, so um... I think our prep was also good.
Interviewer: And I asked how you're going to celebrate. He told me you're going to... you have a ritual where you eat dessert after, like, a win or something. So is that going to continue here as well?
Praggnanandhaa: Yeah, I mean it's something that I don't do like... Vaibhav started to... started, I mean, wanted me to do. So I remember we had it in Bucharest, and also we had it in US Cup, I think. So yeah, we do try to have this. So maybe we should find some place.
Interviewer: Wonderful, again congratulations Prag, and all the very best.
Praggnanandhaa: Thank you.
Part 2: Interview with Coach Vaibhav Suri
Interviewer: Huge congratulations to you. This is a very special moment for you. Do you think this is one of the best moments as a second?
Vaibhav Suri: In uh... every day like Prag wins, I think I'm... I'm super happy. Fourth classical win in a row—I don't remember the last time this happened. Uh, the opposition it happened against is incredible. I think everyone was 2760 plus, including a win over Magnus with black pieces. So um, yeah, this... you don't get to see this often. But I think Prag played exceptionally well, uh... and a lot of uh... things worked out. I think we... we got a lot of things we planned, so very happy to see that.
And uh, extremely elated honestly to uh... see how it all transpired because I think after round seven he was at the bottom of the... of the table. And to then uh... score so many wins and finish at the top, that too without a tiebreak... um, yeah, it... it... it is, it really is something.
Interviewer: What changed after that two-loss streak and after that like, he was, you know, unstoppable? What exactly changed?
Vaibhav Suri: I am not entirely sure, but I think at some point you just realize that uh... 'I... I want to win' and you just go after it. And I think that's what happened uh... with Prag. Also, uh... you do need like a... a little bit of luck for sure. Uh, he did have some of it, uh... so... but I think uh... when you're positioned this way, your headspace is good, uh... some things do uh... uh, they go your way, right?
So um, yeah, I... I honestly don't know what really worked. Uh, I... I think there were some very interesting moments in between the games, uh... a lot for us to take away uh... and learn from. So, uh, yeah, I'm keeping like a close eye. But yeah, right now we are really going to celebrate uh... this win because it... it has come after a small period of uh... stagnation, or let's say uh... second half of last year and the first half didn't really uh... go so well. But to win in this tournament... um, la... um, yeah, last four wins, again, two wins against Magnus. Yeah, I am extremely happy. I don't know how much emotion he shows, I am really going to celebrate, uh... yeah.
Interviewer: So how is the celebration going to be like? Are you... do you have anything planned like before?
Vaibhav Suri: Well, not really. Uh, I think so, we have a small tradition since last year, uh... after every uh... tournament he won—Bucharest, a few others last year—we... we do go for like a dessert treat because he usually doesn't eat dessert. So that's like a small indulgence.
Interviewer: Any particular dessert in... like favorite, his favorites?
Vaibhav Suri: Uh, I don't... I don't think so. It's just like, you celebrate, you... it's just a way to celebrate like a person and their win. So yeah, that's I think what we're going to do, and probably I'll take an extra one today because yeah, it is not a small feat. So but yeah, kudos to him, he... he played incredibly well and uh... not just playing well, but coming back after uh... those two losses uh... shows like the strength of his character, and it's not something that uh... you know, you get to see that often. So uh, a lot of small little things go into uh... these things. But yeah, um... at this point I'm just like super happy and um... yeah, we'll... we'll celebrate surely. And hopefully this is the start for like a new uh... wave of wins in the future.
Interviewer: How was the approach before coming to today's game? Because, you know, Wesley was also leading and Ali... like, both... all the three had like equal chances of winning today. What was the approach coming to the classical game? Did you have any game plan for today?
Vaibhav Suri: Uh, for sure. Uh, I think a lot depended on uh... Wesley and Alireza's match, but uh... the best what we could do was uh... we... we just wanted to put like as much pressure as possible on Vincent as early on as possible. And Prag played a really good game—small edge I think he got from the opening and um... he was pushing, and then Vincent sort of collapsed, which is slightly unusual for uh... Vincent. But um, yeah, you position yourself, you get the chances, you take them, and that's where wins come from. So I think it was a very smooth win.
Interviewer: Um, and how... how was your routine like in Norway Chess?
Vaibhav Suri: Uh, we usually go for like small walks. In general, Prag in general is a very curious individual, I think. So we talk about a lot of things other than chess also. Um, so it's just a way to unwind yourself. Uh, the area around the library is really good, so we walk around here for a bit after the games just to unwind, relax, and get the head a little out of the game. Um, so yeah, nothing special as such, but um... these small little things I think do help because otherwise you're just in front of the laptop and screen uh... all day and um... yeah, you need like to unwind, uh... relax, and detach a little.
Interviewer: Yes sir, thank you to you as well.