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The Print
04-07-2025
- Sport
- The Print
Preparation for classical chess requires a lot of effort: Praggnanandhaa
Praggnanandhaa, who has won three major classical titles this year, feels players don't really enjoy the hours of preparations that goes into classical chess, and find the rapid and blitz more gratifying. Magnus, the five-time world champion, and world No.2 American Grandmaster Nakamura have played fewer classical games, and instead focused on freestyle, rapid and blitz formats. New Delhi, Jul 3 (PTI) Teenage Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa believes players like Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura gradually moving away from classical chess has to do with the mental and physical exhaustion that comes with playing the long format for a long time. 'It's difficult to play classical chess because everyone is well prepared… the opening preparation part is huge in classical chess. If you compare it to freestyle, you don't have to prepare before a game, while in classical chess, you're basically forced to. 'I don't think anyone actually enjoys that process, but you're forced to and you have to have a plan for everything. That requires a lot of effort,' said Praggnanandhaa, who has won the Tata Steel Masters, Superbet Classic and Uz Chess Cup this year. The 19-year-old from Chennai feels chances of burnout also increase with years of playing classical chess. 'And when you play a lot of such tournaments, then your energy is also (drained)… I mean you can also be mentally and physically exhausted. So all these things happen. I think that's the reason why everyone prefers other formats,' Praggnanandhaa said. 'I mean, I myself like freestyle much more because of the fact that you don't have to prepare before a game. That doesn't mean we don't want to work on (our) chess. We enjoy working on chess. 'But the fact that you have to (put endless hours in preparations)… you're forced to do before the game like three-four hours of preparation, then it's not really something that everyone enjoys. So yeah, I like freestyle. I like rapid and it's a bit more than classical for sure. But I think classical is still the main thing.' Praggnanandhaa credits his professional growth to the support being provided by the Adani group for the last year and a half. 'Adani Sportsline have been supporting me for the last one-and-a-half years already. And it's quite important because we do travel a lot and training is also expensive than what people think,' says Praggnanandhaa. 'For example, last year, I played in the Candidates, which required a team to help and then also like in-person camps. So all these things require support and that's where I think the Adani group has been supporting me in a huge way. 'And they were also there when I didn't have (a good) last year; they were there supporting me throughout. So, yeah, a huge thanks to them.' PTI AM AM ATK ATK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
NDTV
02-07-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
"Mentally, Physically Exhausted": Praggnanandhaa On Why Magnus Carlsen Is Moving Away From Classical Chess
Teenage Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa believes players like Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura gradually moving away from classical chess has to do with the mental and physical exhaustion that comes with playing the long format for a long time. Magnus, the five-time world champion, and world No.2 American Grandmaster Nakamura have played fewer classical games, and instead focused on freestyle, rapid and blitz formats. Praggnanandhaa, who has won three major classical titles this year, feels players don't really enjoy the hours of preparations that goes into classical chess, and find the rapid and blitz more gratifying. "It's difficult to play classical chess because everyone is well prepared... the opening preparation part is huge in classical chess. If you compare it to freestyle, you don't have to prepare before a game, while in classical chess, you're basically forced to. "I don't think anyone actually enjoys that process, but you're forced to and you have to have a plan for everything. That requires a lot of effort," said Praggnanandhaa, who has won the Tata Steel Masters, Superbet Classic and Uz Chess Cup this year. The 19-year-old from Chennai feels chances of burnout also increase with years of playing classical chess. "And when you play a lot of such tournaments, then your energy is also (drained)... I mean you can also be mentally and physically exhausted. So all these things happen. I think that's the reason why everyone prefers other formats," Praggnanandhaa said. "I mean, I myself like freestyle much more because of the fact that you don't have to prepare before a game. That doesn't mean we don't want to work on (our) chess. We enjoy working on chess. "But the fact that you have to (put endless hours in preparations)... you're forced to do before the game like three-four hours of preparation, then it's not really something that everyone enjoys. So yeah, I like freestyle. I like rapid and it's a bit more than classical for sure. But I think classical is still the main thing." Praggnanandhaa credits his professional growth to the support being provided by the Adani group for the last year and a half. "Adani Sportsline have been supporting me for the last one-and-a-half years already. And it's quite important because we do travel a lot and training is also expensive than what people think," says Praggnanandhaa. "For example, last year, I played in the Candidates, which required a team to help and then also like in-person camps. So all these things require support and that's where I think the Adani group has been supporting me in a huge way. "And they were also there when I didn't have (a good) last year; they were there supporting me throughout. So, yeah, a huge thanks to them." (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
India no. 1 R Praggnanandhaa makes honest admission: 'It's difficult to play classical'
R Praggnanandhaa (Image credit: X) NEW DELHI: Teen Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa believes the gradual shift of elite players like Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura away from classical chess is largely due to the mental and physical fatigue associated with the longer format. Both Carlsen, a five-time world champion, and world No.2 Nakamura have increasingly opted for freestyle, rapid, and blitz formats over traditional classical events. Praggnanandhaa, who has already claimed three major classical titles in 2024—the Tata Steel Masters, Superbet Classic, and Uz Chess Cup—feels that the intense preparation required for classical games is a key factor behind the growing preference for faster formats. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! "It's difficult to play classical chess because everyone is well prepared... the opening preparation part is huge in classical chess. If you compare it to freestyle, you don't have to prepare before a game, while in classical chess, you're basically forced to. "I don't think anyone actually enjoys that process, but you're forced to and you have to have a plan for everything. That requires a lot of effort," he explained. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The 19-year-old from Chennai also pointed out the toll that repeated classical tournaments can take on a player's mind and body. Poll Which chess format do you enjoy the most? Classical Rapid Blitz Freestyle "And when you play a lot of such tournaments, then your energy is also (drained)... I mean you can also be mentally and physically exhausted. So all these things happen. I think that's the reason why everyone prefers other formats," he said. When Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir looked at the pitch to decide India Playing XI Praggnanandhaa admitted he personally enjoys freestyle and rapid formats more, though he still views classical as the foundation of serious chess. "I mean, I myself like freestyle much more because of the fact that you don't have to prepare before a game. That doesn't mean we don't want to work on (our) chess. We enjoy working on chess. "But the fact that you have to (put endless hours in preparations)... you're forced to do before the game like three-four hours of preparation, then it's not really something that everyone enjoys. So yeah, I like freestyle. I like rapid and it's a bit more than classical for sure. But I think classical is still the main thing." He also credited the Adani group for supporting his growth as a professional player over the past 18 months. "Adani Sportsline have been supporting me for the last one-and-a-half years already. And it's quite important because we do travel a lot and training is also expensive than what people think," said Praggnanandhaa. "For example, last year, I played in the Candidates, which required a team to help and then also like in-person camps. So all these things require support and that's where I think the Adani group has been supporting me in a huge way. "And they were also there when I didn't have (a good) last year; they were there supporting me throughout. So, yeah, a huge thanks to them." Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
News18
02-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
R Praggnanandhaa Explains Why Top Players Favour Rapid Over Classical Chess
R Praggnanandhaa notes Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura are moving away from classical chess due to its demands. He prefers rapid and blitz formats. Teenage Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa believes that players like Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura are gradually moving away from classical chess due to the mental and physical exhaustion associated with playing the long format for extended periods. Magnus, a five-time world champion, and world No.2 American Grandmaster Nakamura have been playing fewer classical games, opting instead for freestyle, rapid, and blitz formats. Praggnanandhaa, who has won three major classical titles this year, feels players do not particularly enjoy the extensive hours of preparation required for classical chess and find rapid and blitz more satisfying. '"It's difficult to play classical chess because everyone is well prepared… the opening preparation part is huge in classical chess. If you compare it to freestyle, you don't have to prepare before a game, while in classical chess, you're basically forced to. 'I don't think anyone actually enjoys that process, but you're forced to and you have to have a plan for everything. That requires a lot of effort," said Praggnanandhaa, who has won the Tata Steel Masters, Superbet Classic, and Uz Chess Cup this year. Why Classical Over Blitz? The 19-year-old from Chennai believes that the chances of burnout increase with years of playing classical chess. 'And when you play a lot of such tournaments, then your energy is also (drained)… I mean you can also be mentally and physically exhausted. So all these things happen. I think that's the reason why everyone prefers other formats," Praggnanandhaa said. 'I mean, I myself like freestyle much more because of the fact that you don't have to prepare before a game. That doesn't mean we don't want to work on (our) chess. We enjoy working on chess. 'But the fact that you have to (put endless hours in preparations)… you're forced to do before the game like three-four hours of preparation, then it's not really something that everyone enjoys. So yeah, I like freestyle. I like rapid and it's a bit more than classical for sure. But I think classical is still the main thing." Praggnanandhaa credits his professional growth to the support provided by the Adani Group over the last year and a half. 'Adani Sportsline have been supporting me for the last one-and-a-half years already. And it's quite important because we do travel a lot and training is also expensive than what people think," says Praggnanandhaa. 'For example, last year, I played in the Candidates, which required a team to help and then also like in-person camps. So all these things require support and that's where I think the Adani group has been supporting me in a huge way. 'And they were also there when I didn't have (a good) last year; they were there supporting me throughout. So, yeah, a huge thanks to them." (With inputs from PTI) About the Author Ritayan Basu First Published: July 02, 2025, 16:40 IST
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
R Praggnanandhaa breaks silence on Magnus Carlsen's table slam after D Gukesh loss: 'Is it a good thing? Maybe not'
R Praggnanandhaa breaks silence on Magnus Carlsen's table slam after D Gukesh loss When Magnus Carlsen slammed his fist on the table after a shocking loss to D Gukesh at the elite Norway Chess tournament, the moment went viral — a rare, raw display of frustration from a modern-day chess titan. To many, it was a sign that the young Indian brigade is finally rattling the very foundation Carlsen built. But for 19-year-old Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa, the incident was something else entirely: a reminder of just how far one must go to reach that level of passion and dominance. "Yes, it was an instinctive reaction. I think it does happen to players. I've done it sometimes, but rarely," Praggnanandhaa told PTI. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! "I mean, it's (me hitting the table) not as powerful as Magnus because he's a strong guy, but Gukesh has done it and many others. It's just an instinctive reaction because you're so focused that it just comes out. "But, I mean, is it a good thing? Maybe not. I don't think so because I guess it's not good. (Having said that), I think so many people got to know that something like this happened and it became such a big thing on the internet. "And, I think it's good for the game in a way because a lot of people got to know that there was such a tournament going on and that such a dramatic game happened. "So, I think there are some good things and bad things, but I think overall, chess is growing. That's what matters." "I think Magnus is still the best player in the world. There's no question about it," Praggnanandhaa added. "Every time he plays, he's the favourite. His performance — like winning 9 out of 9 in the Grand Slam Freestyle — that's something only he can do. It's just brilliant." Poll Which aspect of Praggnanandhaa's game has improved the most? Confidence Calmness under pressure Strategic thinking Yet, while Carlsen remains the benchmark, Praggnanandhaa's own rise has been just as headline-worthy. After a quiet 2024, the teenager has exploded into form this year, winning three major classical titles — the Tata Steel Masters, Superbet Classic in Bucharest, and the UzChess Cup Masters — and leapfrogging both world champion Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi to become India's highest-rated player at World No. 4. So what changed? 'I wasn't able to win as many games as I would have liked to (last year), but yeah, I'm much more confident now and much more ambitious than earlier. And, hopefully, I'll make it to the Candidates,' said Praggnanandhaa. READ ALSO: Exclusive | No Magnus Carlsen in India! Freestyle Chess event called off over lack of sponsors "I'm not sure how to answer that. But, I mean, I try to give my best in every tournament, and this year has been going my way so far." It's not just the titles, but the manner of his victories — two of them coming through nerve-wracking tie-breaks — that point to a more seasoned, composed player. Exclusive | Arjuna Awardee Vantika Agrawal: 'People still ask, 'Chess is fine, but what do you really do?'' 'I do think tie-breaks require some luck. Because there were moments where I needed them. But I think being calm also helps in such situations where you are playing for high stakes in such a short time. I do feel the tension. It's not like I don't feel it. But I'm able to play much more calmer than my opponents," he added. That measured response mirrors his approach to the Candidates race — the gateway to a world championship match. "Yes, there are different (several) spots, of course. I am currently leading (the race for a Candidates spot) but there is still a lot of fight till December. But I think, I mean, I will also be playing the Grand Swiss and the World Cup. So, if I can make it in one of those, that will be better because I don't have to wait till December," he continued. Still, he's acutely aware of the high standards set by his peers. 'But, I think, overall, we (Indians) are doing well. Gukesh winning the World Championship, his performance last year, he won gold in the Olympiad, he won the Candidates... and Arjun crossing 2800 in an exceptional last year. We are also inspiring each other," Pragg said. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
