Indian Grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, one of the brightest stars in global chess, has opened up in a candid interview about his mindset, recent successes, and what drives him forward. The 19-year-old, who has already clinched three major classical titles in 2025—including the UzChess Cup, Tata Steel Masters, and Superbet Chess Classic Romania—says he’s not chasing validation but simply enjoying the game he loves.
🧠 “I Just Like Playing Chess”: A Philosophy Beyond Rankings
In an interview with The Indian Express, Praggnanandhaa dismissed the notion that his recent victories are aimed at proving his worth to the world.
“I don’t think I’m trying to prove anything to anyone. I just like playing chess and I want to be the best at what I’m doing,” he said.
This grounded perspective has become a hallmark of his personality, even as he climbs the global rankings and overtakes Indian peers like D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi.
📊Praggnanandhaa’s 2025 Tournament Performance
| Tournament | Format | Result | Tie-breaks Involved | Notable Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tata Steel Masters (Wijk) | Classical | Winner | Yes | Defeated Gukesh, Rapport |
| Superbet Chess Classic | Classical | Winner | Yes | Beat Firouzja, So |
| UzChess Cup (Tashkent) | Classical | Winner | Yes | Beat Abdusattorov, Erigaisi |
| Stepan Avagyan Memorial | Classical | Runner-up | No | Wins vs. Gledura, Hakobyan |
🏆 Career Milestones: From Prodigy to Powerhouse
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Youngest International Master (10y 10m) |
| 2018 | Grandmaster at 12y 10m |
| 2023 | World Cup Runner-up (lost to Carlsen) |
| 2024 | Gold at 45th Chess Olympiad (India) |
| 2025 | World No. 4 (Live Rating: 2778.3) |
🔍 What Changed in 2025?
Praggnanandhaa attributes his 2025 success to mental resilience and confidence, especially after winning the Tata Steel Masters.
“Winning Wijk aan Zee was very important. It gave me a lot of confidence, especially those three wins I had in a row to catch Gukesh in the tournament lead,” he explained.
He also credits his team, including long-time coach RB Ramesh, for helping him experiment with different playing styles and preparation routines.
🧪 Strategic Experiments and Mental Fortitude
This year, Praggnanandhaa and his team have tried subtle changes in approach:
- Playing faster in some games to conserve energy
- Reducing prep before certain rounds to avoid burnout
- Testing different opening repertoires
“We did small experiments… trying to play fast in a few games and then trying to play normally. Or trying to do more prep before games and then less prep,” he said.
🧮 Tie-Break Mastery: Calm Under Pressure
In 2025, Praggnanandhaa has won three major tournaments via tie-breaks, showcasing his composure in high-stakes rapid and blitz formats.
| Tournament | Tie-Break Opponents | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Tata Steel Masters | Gukesh, Abdusattorov | Champion |
| Superbet Classic | Firouzja, So | Champion |
| UzChess Cup | Abdusattorov, Sindarov | Champion |
“Tie-breaks require some luck… but being calm also helps. I do feel the tension. But I’m able to play much more calmly than my opponents,” he noted.
💬 On Magnus Carlsen and the Indian Chess Boom
Despite surpassing Gukesh in the FIDE rankings, Praggnanandhaa remains humble:
“I think I’m maybe one point ahead of Gukesh or something. I don’t think it makes a huge difference,” he said.
He continues to draw inspiration from Magnus Carlsen, calling him “still the best player in the world.”
“He won 9 out of 9 in the Grand Slam Freestyle Tournament. I don’t think anyone can do that except Magnus,” he added.
🧭 What’s Next: A Packed Calendar
Praggnanandhaa’s 2025 schedule is relentless. He’s set to compete in:
- Zagreb Rapid & Blitz
- Freestyle Chess Las Vegas
- Esports World Cup Qualifiers
- Sinquefield Cup
- Grand Swiss & FIDE World Cup
Thanks to sponsorship from the Adani Group, he’s been able to manage travel, coaching, and logistics.
🧠 Philosophy Over Pressure
When asked how he stays calm under pressure, Praggnanandhaa offered a simple yet profound answer:
“I don’t think there is a mantra. It’s about philosophies and what’s important for you. For me, it’s just about giving my best at that moment,” he said.
