Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa, who continues to cement his place among the world’s elite, recently credited his visible improvements to specific changes made in his approach, preparation, and mindset. Speaking to media after his latest strong performances, the 19-year-old Chennai Grandmaster highlighted how his systematic adjustments are translating into concrete results against top opponents.
Praggnanandhaa’s breakthrough journey
Praggnanandhaa, who became the youngest Indian Grandmaster at age 12 in 2018, has been on a consistent rise. His recent achievements include:
| Tournament | Result | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| FIDE World Cup 2023 | Runner-up | Qualified for Candidates Tournament |
| Candidates Tournament 2024 | 5th Place | Defeated World No. 3 Ding Liren |
| Tata Steel Masters 2025 | Joint 3rd | Wins against Aronian and Abdusattorov |
| Prague Masters 2025 | Champion | Undefeated with 4 wins and 5 draws |
‘Changes in my game are showing results’
Praggnanandhaa stated:
“I have made some changes to my opening preparation, worked on my time management, and focused on practical decision-making. These changes are showing results.”
Key aspects of his improvement strategy include:
- Deepening opening repertoire:
He has added sharper lines with black pieces to fight for initiative, surprising opponents expecting his earlier solid approach. - Improving calculation speed:
Working with his seconds, Praggnanandhaa has been training on blitz and rapid puzzles to sharpen tactical vision. - Psychological conditioning:
He revealed spending sessions with sports psychologists to handle tournament stress, improve focus, and maintain composure under pressure. - Time management discipline:
His coaches advised playing out timed simulation games to avoid time troubles, a frequent concern in his earlier tournaments.
Rising Elo rating and rankings
Praggnanandhaa’s FIDE live rating crossed 2750 for the first time in June 2025, positioning him among the world’s top 10. Below is his Elo progression over the last five years:
| Year | Elo Rating | Key Event |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2620 | Junior World No. 2 |
| 2021 | 2645 | Beat Magnus Carlsen in online rapid event |
| 2022 | 2675 | Won Norway Chess Blitz |
| 2023 | 2710 | FIDE World Cup Runner-up |
| 2024 | 2732 | Candidates debut |
| 2025 (July) | 2754 | Prague Masters Champion |
Training routine behind the results
Praggnanandhaa detailed his typical training day:
- Morning: Opening preparation and engine analysis
- Afternoon: Middlegame and endgame studies with his team
- Evening: Playing online blitz or rapid games to maintain intuition
- Weekly: Physical training and chess psychology sessions
International Grandmasters praise Pragg
Top players and analysts have lauded his disciplined growth trajectory:
- Viswanathan Anand:
“He has a rare mix of tactical sharpness and strategic depth. His maturity at this age is exceptional.” - Magnus Carlsen:
“Pragg plays fearlessly and calculates deeply. He will remain among the top contenders for years to come.” - Levon Aronian:
“His recent games show he is refining his openings and learning from every event.”
India’s rising chess ecosystem
Praggnanandhaa’s success is emblematic of India’s growing chess ecosystem, with multiple teenagers crossing the 2600 Elo mark in recent months. Some key rising stars alongside him include:
| Name | Age | Elo Rating | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| D Gukesh | 18 | 2765 | Candidate for World Championship 2025 |
| Arjun Erigaisi | 21 | 2750 | Winner, Tata Steel India 2024 |
| Nihal Sarin | 20 | 2710 | Runner-up, Isle of Man 2024 |
| Raunak Sadhwani | 19 | 2685 | Asian Continental Champion 2024 |
Upcoming tournaments for Praggnanandhaa
He is scheduled to compete in:
- Sinquefield Cup 2025 in August, USA
- Grand Chess Tour Finals in December, UAE
- FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 in October, Isle of Man
These tournaments will determine his chances of re-entering the next Candidates cycle for a potential shot at the World Championship.
Social media reactions
Fans across India and global chess circles hailed his humility and dedication:
- “Pragg is not just our pride, but an inspiration to every student chasing excellence.”
- “Love how he adapts after every tournament. True champion mindset.”
- “Future World Champion in making.”
Analysts’ commentary
Chess commentator Tania Sachdev said:
“Pragg has always been a brilliant tactician, but now his positional understanding and psychological confidence are making him a complete player.”
Grandmaster Peter Svidler added:
“The only limitation was his time management and opening predictability, which he has addressed remarkably in the last year.”
Conclusion
Praggnanandhaa’s statement that “changes in my game are showing results” reflects not just his personal journey of refinement, but also signals a generational shift in global chess with Indian players leading the innovation curve. With continued discipline, fearless play, and refined preparation, Praggnanandhaa stands poised to script historic milestones for Indian chess in the years ahead.
Disclaimer
This article is for information and news reporting purposes only. Quotes, ratings, and tournament data are based on public interviews and official FIDE records as of July 2025.
