R Praggnanandhaa will be one relieved man at the Global Chess League which began in Mumbai on Sunday (December 14). In a galaxy of stars missing Magnus Carlsen, the Indian is the last player to have qualified for next year’s Candidates Championship. Mission 2025 accomplished, he can enjoy himself in the third edition of this glamourous event.
It’s been a long year for the Chennai player. He played in at least 10 countries and four continents, travelled across time zones, won four titles including two super strong events, entered the top-10 in March and stayed there since, while rising to a career-best fourth in September. He also turned 20 and achieved his goal of the year — to make it to the Candidates.
The foremost star of his generation for a few years, he was overshadowed by D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi in 2024. These two were the talking points of the Chess Olympiad triumph where Pragg played ‘third’ fiddle. While Gukesh became the world champion and Erigaisi crossed 2,800 in ELO ratings, Pragg ended the year in underachievement. He has redeemed himself in no uncertain terms.
To retain his position among the elite, it was important for him to reach the Candidates to be played in Cyprus in March-April. He was one of the three Indians in the event in Toronto last year, when Gukesh won it and went on to become the youngest-ever world champion by beating China’s Ding Liren in the ultimate duel in Singapore. This time, Pragg will be the only Indian in the field of eight.
The calendar leading to the 2026 World Championship will be equally packed, if not busier than this year, following the likely inclusion of freestyle events. For players taking part in a majority of those, there would hardly be room to prepare, considering the amount of time they spend playing, travelling and resting. Pragg offers an interesting take on this.
“Working on the game and training is needed,” he had told FIDE in September. “But when you play so many tournaments, you also prepare before the game. And playing is in a way a training as well. I wouldn’t really say that working is the main thing right now. We’re just coming on the board and giving our best.”
That’s what top international players do. This correspondent saw former world No. 1 in men’s badminton, Viktor Axelsen, gearing up himself in the early rounds of the India Open in New Delhi, hours after landing from Malaysia, where he had won the title. He reached the final again before flying out for the next event starting after 48 hours. The schedule rarely permits opportunity to specifically train. Elite players find ways of using playing time as some sort of a training routine.
Pragg also spoke about the flip side of so much of travel. Asked in that FIDE interview if he was in the form of his life (he had won three titles and finished second in two by then), he replied: “I’ve been playing good quality chess, but also, I’ve been playing a lot. I wouldn’t say physically I’m in great shape. When you play so much, you obviously get tired. I’m trying to save energy whenever I can and trying to rest whenever I can. So far, it’s been good.”
The youngster lived up to that. To seal a Candidates berth after losing in the fourth round of the FIDE World Cup in Goa, he flew to London at a short notice and took a risk by entering in the Open section. His opponents were rated well below him, which meant defeats or draws would cost more in terms of points. He finished joint-first and topped the FIDE Circuit 2025 to ensure passage to Candidates.
Playing for Alpine SG Pipers in the GCL should be less stressful for Pragg. The IPL-style chess league featuring six franchise-based teams and big names is in its third year. Of course the stakes will be high at the Royal Opera House in Mumbai. Pragg can still be relaxed knowing that for 2025, he has achieved what was at stake for him.
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