‘Gukesh can take inspiration from Praggnanandhaa’: Viswanathan Anand advises world chess champion

Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa with the Norwegian Chess 2026 trophy and Viswanathan Anand NEW DELHI: Five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand lauded the recent form of R Praggnanandha and suggested world champion D Gukesh look to the young grandmaster’s example as he looks to regain momentum. Praggnanandhaa recently became the first Indian to win Norwegian chess, while Gukesh had a disappointing finish finishing 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 the Norwegian chess in impressive style. I am very happy with the spectacular turn (he has made) in the last four rounds. He is playing the game with some amazingly impressive concepts and style,” Anand told PTI.As Gukesh prepares 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, although fortunes in chess can change quickly.“At the moment, Praggnanandhaa is playing better than Gukesh, but anything can change. I think there will be repeated fluctuations in form. Gukesh seems to be stuck a bit. I think he can take inspiration from Pragg. He sees that if you persist in hard work, at some point things will change,” he added.Anand noted that Praggnanandha’s aggressive approach has remained consistent over the last year and a half, with the player always willing to take risks and fight for results. He also highlighted the healthy rivalry between Gukesh, Praggnanandha and Arjun Erigaisi and said that never before in Indian chess have three players come together to push 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 top three world chess nations.