Praggnanandhaa Sets Sights on Tournament Victory: 'I'm More Ambitious and Confident'

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World No.7 R Praggnanandhaa has declared his intention to take his chess career to the next level, citing the success of fellow Indian players D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi as a major inspiration. In an exclusive interview with select media during the Global Chess League (GCL), Pragg revealed that he has become more ambitious and confident as a player, driven by his desire to win tournaments and improve on his previous results. The 19-year-old attributed his solid year, which saw him win four events and finish second in two, to years of hard work and dedication. He also credited his mentor-coach RB Ramesh for helping him identify small improvements that eventually led to significant gains in his game. Pragg's newfound ambition is partly fueled by the achievements of Gukesh, who won the World Championship, and Arjun, who reached 2800 Elo ratings. However, the young Indian grandmaster emphasized that he sees their success as an inspiration rather than a source of pressure. When asked about playing alongside fellow Candidates contenders Fabiano Caruana and Anish Giri in the GCL, Pragg downplayed the importance of team dynamics, stating that they have not yet started thinking about the Candidates tournament. Praggnanandhaa's hectic schedule, which has seen him play in three continents in three formats since October, has taken a toll on his personal life. Despite the challenges, he remains committed to his goals and is eager to take on the Candidates tournament, which he qualified for as the only Indian last week. With his sights set on tournament victory, Praggnanandhaa is more confident than ever that he has the skills and experience to succeed in the Candidates tournament. As he prepares for the challenge ahead, he remains focused on his goals and determined to make a lasting impact in the chess world.