NEW DELHI: Five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand has praised R Praggnanandhaa’s recent form and suggested that world champion D Gukesh look to the young Grandmaster’s example as he tries to regain momentum. Praggnanandhaa recently became the first Indian to win Norway Chess, while Gukesh had a disappointing campaign and finished sixth.Anand said he was impressed by Praggnanandhaa’s fighting spirit and the way he bounced back strongly in the latter stages of the tournament. “I am delighted that Praggnanandhaa has won Norway Chess in an impressive style. I am very happy at the spectacular turnaround (he made) in the last four rounds. He is playing the game with some amazingly impressive concepts and style,” Anand told PTI.With Gukesh preparing to defend his world title against Javokhir Sindarov later this year, Anand believes the teenager can learn from Praggnanandhaa’s perseverance. According to the veteran Grandmaster, Praggnanandhaa is currently in better form, though fortunes in chess can change quickly.“At this moment, Praggnanandhaa is playing better than Gukesh, but anything can change. I think there will be form swings repeatedly. Gukesh seems to be stuck a bit. I think he can take inspiration from Pragg. He can see that if you persist with hard work then at some point things will change,” he added.Anand noted that Praggnanandhaa’s aggressive approach has remained consistent over the past year and a half, with the player always willing to take risks and fight for results. He also highlighted the healthy rivalry among Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi, saying Indian chess has never before had three players pushing each other at such a high level.The chess legend was equally pleased with India’s overall rise in the sport. With 95 Grandmasters, a reigning world champion and several elite players competing at the highest level, Anand believes India is now among the world’s top three chess nations.
