Published by Snippetx Media
Hyderabad, September 3, 2026: Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand has praised young Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa following his impressive performance on the Grand Chess Tour (GCT), describing him as the No. 1 player in the world right now.
Praggnanandhaa’s recent success has further strengthened his position among the leading players of the new generation. His GCT title was particularly significant, coming after a difficult period in which he had also experienced disappointment on the international stage.
Anand impressed by Praggnanandhaa's rise
Anand, one of India’s most celebrated chess players, expressed his surprise at how effectively Praggnanandhaa has addressed weaknesses in his game.
Reports quoted Anand as saying that he was “surprised” by how Praggnanandhaa fixed the weaknesses in his game to produce a historic performance. The comments underline the rapid development of the 20-year-old Indian Grandmaster and his growing consistency against elite opposition.
Praggnanandhaa has long been regarded as one of India’s brightest chess talents. His victories against top-level opponents have already established him as a major force in international chess, but his latest GCT achievement represents another important milestone.
A satisfying GCT victory
Praggnanandhaa’s Grand Chess Tour victory has been described as a highly satisfying achievement, particularly after the disappointment of narrowly missing out on the Candidates Tournament.
The success demonstrates his ability to recover from setbacks and maintain his focus at the highest level of competition. His performances against experienced Grandmasters have also highlighted the maturity he has developed in recent years.
India's new chess generation
Praggnanandhaa’s rise is part of a wider transformation in Indian chess. Alongside established stars and other emerging Grandmasters, he represents a generation that is increasingly competing for major international titles.
His latest achievement has generated considerable attention in the chess community, with experts and former champions closely following his progress.
For India, Praggnanandhaa’s continued rise is another indication of the country’s growing influence in global chess. With Anand providing inspiration from an earlier generation, India’s young Grandmasters are now increasingly challenging the world’s best.
Praggnanandhaa’s GCT triumph could therefore prove to be more than just another tournament victory—it may be another major step in the making of India’s next global chess superstar.
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