Bengaluru: Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu has dedicated the past few months to refining his mindset, drawing motivation from a friend. The 19-year-old experienced a relatively subdued and unremarkable 2024, leading him to recognize the need for a significant shift in his approach, particularly in terms of ambition.

“I have spent considerable time analyzing many of Arjun’s (Erigaisi) games,” Praggnanandhaa shared in an interview with HT. “I aimed to understand his playing style and extract valuable lessons from his matches. Being ambitious does not necessarily imply crossing boundaries; one can maintain objectivity. I discovered numerous instances in Arjun's games from last year where he consistently excelled, often securing victories or finishing among the top three. I aspire to blend elements of his style with my own to achieve a more universal approach. That is my current objective.”

The efforts he invested in enhancing his mentality and gameplay culminated in the most significant tournament victory of his career last weekend in the Dutch coastal town of Wijk aan Zee. The young player triumphed over reigning world champion Gukesh in the blitz playoffs, becoming only the second Indian, after five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, to claim the Tata Steel Masters title.

“The final round was quite an eventful day. I had approximately thirty minutes between my last classical game and the playoffs. The organizers graciously allowed me to rest in one of the rooms. It was just me, Vaishali, and our mother in that space. I had a banana and attempted to close my eyes for a brief rest,” he recounted. “In terms of blitz ratings, I was in a better position than Gukesh. However, tie-breaks can feel like a lottery; it ultimately comes down to nerves, and in those fleeting moments, outcomes can swing in any direction.”

Praggnanandhaa demonstrated remarkable resilience during the Wijk aan Zee tournament, particularly in his ability to recover swiftly from defeats. After enduring a challenging position for several hours before succumbing to Vincent Keymer in the final round—where a draw would have secured him the title—he faced the subsequent playoff matches shortly thereafter, which proved to be a significant challenge. Although he lost the initial blitz game against Gukesh, he managed to regroup and triumph in the following two games. “I was pacing back and forth, attempting to relax. After failing to secure a draw in the classical game and then losing the first blitz match, I felt as though I had nothing to lose.”

“Regarding my game against Vincent, it was not merely the loss that troubled me; I was dissatisfied with the quality of my play. This was particularly disheartening. It was not enjoyable to sit there and attempt to defend my position. Above all, I was simply exhausted at that moment.”

Currently ranked seventh in the world, Praggnanandhaa was among the first of the emerging elite Indian players to gain recognition. In 2016, he achieved the distinction of being the youngest International Master at the age of 10 years and 10 months. He is now part of a competitive group of ambitious Indian players who motivate one another.

In contrast to the previous year, Praggnanandhaa aims for a “less chaotic” schedule with fewer tournaments, focusing on qualifying for the Candidates tournament.

“I believe Gukesh’s victory in the World Championship last year certainly inspired me,” he remarks. “You could say it was one of the factors that fueled my motivation for this event. I played extensively last year, and while I recognized the need for a mental shift, there was little time to implement changes. In recent months, I have worked closely with Ramesh sir, not only on my chess skills but also on my mental and physical well-being. I observed players who are perhaps more ambitious than I am—Gukesh, Arjun, Abdusattorov. Arjun’s performance last year particularly inspired me. This mutual inspiration among Indian players is why we are all thriving together.”

Arjun demonstrated the qualities of a true friend by extending his support to Praggnanandhaa in the pursuit of the Wijk aan Zee title, ultimately defeating Gukesh in the final round. Both Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa entered the last day of the competition as co-leaders.

“It certainly made a difference,” Praggnanandhaa remarked with a laugh. “I was unable to get Arjun anything after the event, but I did manage to bring him a box of Pringles during the tournament. Despite facing challenges throughout the competition, his determination in the last two rounds, where he triumphed over Gukesh and Abdusattorov, exemplifies his strong mental fortitude. Typically, players aim to recover during the middle stages of a tournament, but as it nears the end, the mindset often shifts to simply securing draws and concluding the event. While I was analyzing the position in the Arjun-Gukesh match, I later realized my assessment was incorrect. I believed Gukesh had the advantage, but the computer indicated that Arjun was actually in a winning position. It was an extraordinary game that I found difficult to comprehend.”

Despite being rivals and peers, ranked fifth and seventh in the world (according to live ratings) and pursuing similar objectives and titles, Praggnanandhaa asserts that his friendship with Arjun remains largely intact. “For instance, on the final day, Arjun approached me and mentioned that the game we played in Tata Steel, which he lost, was among the best of the tournament. It is uncommon for players to reflect positively on their losses. He is genuinely a kind individual, and our results have never interfered with our friendship.”

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