Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa did not have a microphone to answer questions from mediapersons at the news conference here on Monday morning. But he made himself heard with a voice so unlike an 18-year-old. Rich baritone, confidence personified.
Yes, there was the occasional child-like reaction, for example when asked about the accolades coming his way since his runner-up finish to Norway’s Magnus Carlsen in the Chess World Cup last month, but for most of his 36-minute interaction, Praggu — as he is known among his peers — spoke like a senior pro.
His coach RB Ramesh predicted that Praggu would be a world champion in the next two to three years. And the chess sensation said he has a very good chance to prove his coach right. “I think there’s still a lot to learn. And I think I can go much higher than what I’m currently right now. Yeah, I think I have the potential to be a world champion. And I’m working towards that,” he said.
Like everyone else, Praggu is also a huge fan of Carlsen and said the Norwegian No. 1 is a delight to speak to. “I regularly interact with him. He has been ruling chess for the last 10 years. I always pick his brains. I am curious if he is doing something different. I want to ask him about chess positions. I am fascinated by his understanding of the game and he is always there to give his insight. I think my game will improve if I discuss chess with him regularly,” Praggu, who earned a berth in the Candidates chess, said.
“Carlsen is a very strong player. I played him online as well as over the board. Of course, in over-the-board, I can see his face and try to gauge if he is under pressure, his facial expression, and many other things. But otherwise, he is very strong, and pressure doesn’t matter to him,” he said.
India chess legend Viswanathan Anand has taken the world No. 19, with an Elo rating of 2727, under his wings and Praggu’s stint at the WestBridge Anand Chess Academy has helped him develop his game.
“I’ve learned a lot from him. And it’s not just chess, it could be other things also. For example, the physical or the mental aspect, or the routine before the game.”
The Candidates chess will be in seven months but Praggu is not thinking about it. “There are a lot of tournaments before that.”
Candidates is the final contest to determine the challenger for the World Chess Championship. The winner of the Candidates earns the right to a match for the World Championship against the incumbent world champion.
Praggu is in Calcutta to attend the camp for the Asian Games and participate in the Tata Steel India Chess. He was here in 2018 to participate in the blitz section of the meet.
“This tournament and this city have a special connection with me. Here, as a 14-year-old, I got a first glimpse of top-class players. I would like to do well this time around,” he said. “And my target also will be to do well in the Asian Games.”
Praggu, along with India’s new No. 1, D. Gukesh, Vidit Gujrathi, Arjun Erigaisi and Pentala Harikrishna, will be among the favourites for the gold medal in Hangzhou. “China will pose a challenge,” he warned.
