India’s top chess grandmasters are currently suffering from poor form NEW DELHI: When Grandmaster (GM) Gukesh Dommaraju stopped in the middle of the Prague Masters to apologize to the fans, the moment was unusually raw and emotional.“I really appreciate all the fans who come here every day. But I want to apologize to them. This tournament was hard for me and some days I want to be alone,” said the youngest world chess champion. “I usually make sure to sign autographs and photos after the game, but I wasn’t in a great mood.The confession carried weight, especially for a player who has been between the highs and lows of world champion for less than 24 months.
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Champions rarely reveal vulnerabilities so openly, almost never during tournaments. Still, the apology struck a chord throughout the chess world, as it seemed to hint at something deeper.Indian chess, which has been enjoying a golden phase of late, is currently going through an alarming slump at the top of the pyramid.For example, the first FIDE rating list of 2026 in January featured three Indian GMs Arjun Erigaisi, Rameshbaba Praggnanandha and Gukesh in the top 10.Two months later, in March, the scenario changed drastically. Erigaisi and Praggnanandhaa have slipped out of the top 10, while Gukesh, who is 10th in the latest rankings, risks losing further points after a tough run (just one win in 10 rounds) in Prague.
D Gukesh (Photo Michal Walusza/FIDE)
At a time when the chess calendar is heading towards a crucial stage, with the Candidates Tournament following the World Chess Championship, the slump has raised questions.Is this just a temporary blip? Or are there deeper issues affecting India’s brightest talents?Is the current dip in form among India’s top grandmasters ringing alarm bells?“Obviously, it is worrying,” veteran grandmaster Pravin Thipsay told TimesofIndia.com during an exclusive interaction.“When players who were close to or over 2,800 suddenly drop 40 or 50 points, it certainly warrants serious attention.”The reasons, according to Thipsay, are complex but interrelated.
Playing too much chess
Ironically, one of the biggest factors behind the decline could be the sheer volume of chess being played by the young stars.“The first reason, in my opinion, is that they just play too much,” explained Thipsay. “Because they’ve become very strong, they get a lot of invitations. Naturally, they end up playing a lot more tournaments than most players usually do.”He continued: “The top players often receive performance fees that can be higher than the prize money itself. They used to play mainly for prizes. Now seed money becomes the main factor. From a financial point of view, it can be difficult to turn down invitations.”Relations with the organizers also play a role. “Many organizers supported these players when they were starting out in their careers. Of course, the players feel obliged to accept these invitations,” he added.
Praggnanandhaa R vs. Matthias Blübaum (Photo by Frans Peeters/Tata Steel Chess)
A relentless schedule of tournaments follows. From classic tournaments to online events like Titled Tuesdays and Freestyle Fridays, the calendar rarely lets you breathe.Grandmaster Shyam Sundar M, whose tireless contribution through coaching has gifted several Indian CEOs in recent times, echoes the same concerns about the modern schedule.“The top 10 fluctuates a lot, not just for Indians,” added Shyam Sundar. “Players today compete in classic tournaments, rapid, blitz, Chess960 team competitions and many other competitions. Without enough breaks, it is natural that results will fluctuate.”The consequence, he explains, is that players often arrive at the most important tournament not completely refreshed.
Star and distraction
Another factor, Thipsay believes, lies in the unique position Indian chess players enjoy at home.“The social status of Indian players today is much higher than what players like Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Alireza Firouzja or Fabiano Caruana enjoy in their countries,” he said.In India, chess stars have become celebrities. And FIDE itself recently put this idea to rest when it published a post on social media that compared the Instagram fan counts of the candidates. And unsurprisingly, two of the top three were Indians.“They get huge media attention, encouragement and financial offers. Endorsements and brand collaborations bring good money, but they also take a lot of time and mental energy,” added Thipsay.These commitments may seem insignificant compared to the rigors of professional chess; but over time they can focus. “Financial rewards outside of chess can become a distraction and hinder concentration,” Thipsay told the site.
A closed loop problem
Another factor shaping modern chess is the tournament structure itself. Today’s top players often repeatedly compete against the same small group of elite opponents at closed events.“Since Garry Kasparov, the top players at elite events have mostly played each other,” Thipsay said. “Even Anatoly Karpov played many open tournaments against ordinary players. That tradition has largely disappeared.”The result is a tight competitive ecosystem.
Arjun Erigaisi vs Praggnanandhaa R (Photo by Frans Peeters/Tata Steel Chess)
“When you play the same opponents repeatedly, you become very familiar with their styles. Preparation becomes more about guessing what your opponent will play than discovering new ideas.”On the other hand, open tournaments force players to think independently, which the top stars lack these days.“When these players were growing rapidly in 2022 and 2023, they played a lot of Swiss tournaments. You faced unfamiliar opponents, unpredictable positions, and that honed their creativity. You don’t come up with new strategic ideas if you keep playing with the same players. So it’s very serious.”
The Dilemma of the Motor Era
According to Thipsay, the overwhelming role of computerized preparation has subtly changed the mindset of players.“Today, many players buy an enormous amount of ready-made material from analysts or trainers. Often these analysts are not strong players themselves, they just run engines and provide computer suggestions,” he revealed. “The human process is different. You understand the position, identify the strategic ideas, analyze the tactics, and then come to a logical decision. With engine preparation, you get the thrust, but you may not understand why it works.”Quoting José Raúl Capablanca’s famous remark, he adds: “Nearly 100 years ago, Capablanca once said, ‘The best way to win is the simplest way.’ But the easiest path is different for each player.”When players follow computer lines that don’t suit their style, problems arise. “Maybe you know the engine says motion is best, but you haven’t really understood the thinking behind it,” added the GM veteran.
They lose their natural strengths
Thipsay feels that the Indian trio’s distinctive style has faded slightly in recent months.“Praggnanandhaa was once one of the most dangerous attacking players but now he doesn’t get many attacking positions. Gukesh has been phenomenal defensively as his accuracy in events like the Olympics has been extraordinary.”He believes rivals are now adapting.“Opponents are preparing specific strategies to complicate games. Meanwhile, Arjun and Gukesh have lost some precision and Praggnanandhaa some initiative.”However, all is not lost as Thipsay remains optimistic.
Arjun Erigaisi (photo by Mukhammadbobur Makhmarayimov)
“If these players go back to playing their natural games and maybe play more open tournaments, things can change quickly,” he added.Shyam Sundar, on the other hand, cautions against reading too much into short-term declines.“Sometimes players also experiment with their games,” he added.“For example, Gukesh himself talked about trying new things after becoming world champion. When players experiment, results can suffer temporarily, even though the quality of chess remains high.”“As players compete across formats and experiment with ideas, you’ll naturally see ups and downs in results. But that doesn’t mean players are going to drop all of a sudden.”
If these players go back to playing their natural games and maybe include more open tournaments, that could change quickly
GM Pravin Thipsay
Coach Shyam Sundar insists that Indian players command immense respect worldwide. In fact, he said, the temporary downturn could even serve as motivation.“Wherever you go, when someone faces an Indian player, they know they have to be fully prepared. That respect has not changed,” added the 33-year-old.
The bitter truth about Indian chess
Apart from individual performance, the very structure of Indian chess is also raising alarm. “Indian chess has always been very individualistic. None of these champions were created by a system,” admitted Thipsay, who became GM in 1997.Unlike the Soviet model that produced legends like Mikhail Tal and Kasparov, Indian success often stems from personal and family effort.“Parents sacrifice careers, invest time and resources, and players are built through sheer dedication,” added 66-year-old Thipsay. “Just because three players make the top 10 today doesn’t mean we’re automatically going to produce another three in ten years.READ ALSO: India Gets 93rd CEO: Mother Quits for Chess – Aarav Dengla Films Influenced by D Gukesh and Arjun ErigaisiThis model makes sustained dominance difficult, as Thipsay said: “Of the millions who play chess online, only about 36,000 players in India are registered for AICF over-the-board tournaments.”For now, the Indian chess revolution is driven by extraordinary individuals. Whether it can evolve into a system capable of producing champions generation after generation remains a bigger game yet to be won.
