After writing history for India at the Chess Olympiad, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa is now getting ready for the Global Chess League (GCL). He was a part of the inaugural season of the event as well. Ahead of this event, in an exclusive chat with RevSportz’s Chief-in-Editor, Boria Majumdar, Praggnanandhaa opened up on their Olympiad journey, Gukesh Dommaraju’s World Championship final and a lot more.
Boria: World champions, winning the Olympiad, gold medal! Your thoughts on India’s successful campaign at the Olympiad?
Praggnanandhaa: It was really good. I think we have done something very historic, winning gold for the first time, India winning gold for the first time and we have managed to win it in both the sections – open and women’s section. So, it is a very proud feeling and we were very close in last year’s Olympiad in both sections. But we could not win in the end. But this year, we managed to show that in a dominant fashion. So, it is a very proud feeling.
Boria: Brother and sister, both winning the gold is quite incredible. I do not think that has happened too many times in any sport across the world. Thoughts on that?
Praggnanandhaa: Definitely a proud feeling for our family. It is extra happiness that we have both the golds at home. We both are part of something so historic. So, it is a proud feeling.
Boria: This gold could well be the inflection point for women’s chess in India. Would you agree with that?
Praggnanandhaa: I think this will inspire a lot of girls to take up chess, and I really hope that it does. We will see many more strong Indian women players in our country. I really hope it does.
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R Praggnanandhaa EXCLUSIVE | Part 1
“We didn’t win by luck; we were simply the best,” says @rpraggnachess on the Chess Olympiad triumph.
He believes the women’s team success will ignite the next generation and firmly backs @DGukesh to clinch the World Championship title.… pic.twitter.com/BKwpnvS9KG
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) September 30, 2024
Boria: Vishwanathan Anand told me the dominance with which the men won. Can you tell me a little bit about that?
Praggnanandhaa: The amount of points which we have scored, I do not think that have been scored by any other team in recent history. We have won with four match points, almost a round to spare. We were leading throughout and did not put a foot wrong. We showed that we did not win by some luck or anything. We were just the best team in the tournament.
Boria: Now, there is the World Championship final between Gukesh and Ding Liren, and it is India versus China. Is this the start of Indian dominance you think in the world of chess? And a word or two on Gukesh’s World Championship final.
Praggnanandhaa: There is also Arjun who is just going to be World No. 3. So, that is also a big achievement. We are inspiring each other to do well and I think that is the main reason that we all have healthy competition between us. Basically, we are just inspiring each other and when one does well, the other really wants to do well as well. About the World Championship, I think Gukesh is a massive favourite and as a chess fan, I really hope the games would be quite interesting.
Boria: Why do you say so? It is a big statement…
Praggnanandhaa: I think many top players will agree with me. Right now, the form we see Gukesh is in, very good form. I am not just talking about the Olympiad, but in general he is working hard. He is playing his best in every tournament and the Olympiad assured that he is actually in very good form. But apart from that, he is also improving every tournament. So, that is the reason.