EXCLUSIVE
At the outset I need to thank my friend Maria Emelianova for facilitating this interview. We had discussed about trying to speak to Praggnanandhaa after the final but with the result not going his way, Pragg had left the venue soon after and we did not want to trouble him. It was at the prize distribution ceremony that he was back and in a buoyant mood. By then the significance of what he had achieved must have sunk in. So when Maria messaged, it was quite late into the night in India. In fact, it was around 1am. She had Pragg with her and asked if I wanted to do the interview. I was actually waiting and must say enjoyed the conversation.
Excerpts:
Boria– Many congratulations on the achievement. First thoughts about finishing runner-up in the World Cup.
Pragg– Yes I am very pleased with the way I played the entire tournament. The final could be a bit better but overall I think I played very well. It has been 5 weeks of constant chess and is very exhausting and tiring. Not just for me but for everyone else as well. In my case because it was the first time, it seems a little more draining. But overall I am very pleased with the way I played.
Boria– What does this mean for your career?
Pragg- It is definitely a big moment and is a breakthrough that I was looking for. To be honest I did not expect this to happen. But it is a huge moment and it will give me a lot of confidence for all the future tournaments.
Boria– The match was being followed by millions in India. Such a following for the sport is rare and shows how the sport is gaining in popularity. In fact it was the second headline after Chandrayaan 3, which shows how significant it had become. Your thoughts?
Pragg– Yes it is very good for the sport. With more and more people following the sport and starting to play the sport, it will benefit chess going forward. It will also help Indian chess a lot because a lot of new talent will come up the ranks. The more people follow the sport and actively engage with it the better it is for the sport in the future.
Boria– Your thoughts on the candidates?
Pragg– I am very much looking forward to the candidates. But to be honest again, I did not think I could make it while coming into this tournament. This is a very unpredictable event and anything can really happen so it wasn’t something that I was thinking about. I have a packed calendar in front of me with a lot of tournaments lined up till November. Only after I complete these competitions will I start to think of the candidates.
Boria– You have won against almost all of the bosses of world chess in this competition. That should make you feel really good about your own effort.
Pragg- Yes indeed. And even in the final I was in a good position against Magnus in the first tie break but then lost it. It happens in rapid games but overall when I think back, I think this experience will give me a lot of confidence. To be able to beat the best in the world is certainly a positive I will take back.
Runner-up in the World Cup! Reflecting on an incredible journey and looking ahead to brighter horizons. Here’s @rpragchess #Exclusive.
Handling pressure, popularity of the sport, comparison with Vishy Anand, and more. Listen in. @vishy64theking @FIDE_chess @Pebble_India pic.twitter.com/SoaFxZKTO1
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) August 25, 2023
Boria- Would you say it was a bit of nerves or perhaps lack of experience that may have cost you the final? After all the pressure of playing a World Cup final could be huge?
Pragg- I actually don’t think so. I think I handled the pressure and managed my nerves really well in this competition. Especially in the game against Arjun I managed to do it very well, in the game when I had to do it on demand. I was calm when the match was going on, which was actually a very intense game. That I was able keep calm was quite good actually. May be experience is something that could have had an impact but overall I think I handled my nerves really well. Playing consistently under pressure and making the final has to be a highpoint.
Boria- Many people are saying you are the successor to Anand.
Pragg- Smiles. Anand Sir has achieved a lot and I need to do a lot more to be compared to Anand Sir. I need to be consistent and keep improving my game. Also, it is not just me. There are other very good players as well who are doing very well. Gukesh, Arjun, Nihal are all playing very well and Indian chess is looking good. But when it comes to Anand Sir, I need to do a lot more and achieve a lot more to be compared to him.
Boria- But does it motivate you more to sort of have him as your goal and be the next role model for Indian chess? This achievement has clearly raised the bar as far as you are concerned.
Pragg- Yes it does. To follow his career path and get there is always a motivation. But as I said I have to improve a lot more and focus on my chess to get there. This tournament does motivate me a lot that perhaps I have the ability to be the best and that’s what I will take back from it.