Indian Grandmasters Dibyendu Barua and Pravin Thipsay are quite impressed with how the country’s five-member strong contingent, led by R. Praggnanandhaa, has performed so far at the prestigious Candidates Chess tournament here.

The Candidates tournament has a rest day after four rounds of intensive chess with Ian Nepomniachtchit from Russia leading the standings. India’s D Gukesh is a joint second on the table with Praggnanandhaa at fourth along with Vidit Gujrathi.

With 10 rounds still to go, Barua feels that Koneru Humpy can still strike back in the women’s competition after succumbing to her first defeat at the hands of lowest seed and youngest participant Nurgyul Salimova of Bulgaria,

“Vidit can bounce back and Gukesh can score well. I would not rate Humpy out of equations as yet, she has the acumen and a great will to win,” Barua, a three-time national champion who was the second Indian chess player after Viswanathan Anand to become a GM, said.

In women’s section, R Vaishali holds the joint third position. Humpy slipped to joint sixth on 1.5 points.

Grandmaster Pravin Thipsay said the Indians are in with a good chance.

“Nakamura is not motivated so that leaves the Indian trio plus Nepo and Fabio Caruana,” Thipsay said.

Praggnanandhaa’s long-time trainer R B Ramesh said that it’s a good beginning for the 18-year-old.

“I think Pragg did exceptionally well coming out with that loss and I also feel bad that he could have done better against Gukesh,” he said.

When asked about his absence from Praggnanandhaa’s corner, Ramesh said that it was a conscious decision.

Praggnanandhaa has his mother, Nagalakshmi, travelling with him and counts her as a big emotional support.

“It’s important to have someone in the room, especially when you lose. I am grateful for her support,” he said in an interaction with Fide’s official website.

In the Women’s event Tan Zhongyi of China has taken the early lead with. A full point behind is R Vaishali, Praggnanandhaa’s sister.

Aleksandra Goryachikina might feel threatened as of now as the rating favourite in the section as she the one trying to compete desperately with Tan.

The women’s section may see a lot of turnaround as the matches progress but on everyone’s mind is Tan who has steely nerves and the will to win.