world number one Magnus Carlsonnumber 10 Anish Giri and number 22 wei yi There are names that recently found it difficult to read the minds of India’s ChessWizkido Rameshbabu Pragnandha, ‘Praggu’ to his close ones. Feather Chasable Masters Last week, he defeated them all in a knockout, before fighting off in the final against world number two Ding Liren. Indian talent lost in the title match in the blitz tiebreak.
Soon after, near the dawn, the next thing on Pragu’s mind was her ‘Computer Application’ exam in a few hours at school.
(TOI photo)
spoke to 16 year old TimesofIndia.com In an exclusive interview, where he talks about his experience of defeating Magnus Carlsen again, the support he got from Viswanathan Anand, battling academics with his tough chess schedule and much more.
The second youngest to become a Grandmaster in the history of the game, Praggu initially did not expect his exam dates to hit his chessboard, as he did not expect to be in the final of the Chessable Masters.
“I certainly surprised myself,” he added. TimesofIndia.com In this exclusive interview.
Part…
> This year is proving to be a historic season for you so far. did you expect it?
The year is going on and I would like to play even better. This year, I think this tournament (Chess Masters) has been one of the good tournaments. I also played well (finished 4th) in the Oslo Esports Cup last month. So the last few months have been better. I am playing some good chess.
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> You are only 16 years old and your growth as a chess player has been remarkable…
I didn’t play any tournament for a year and a half (due to the Covid pandemic), but the good thing was that I could still practice. This was a good thing for chess players compared to other sports. For example, in cricket, you can’t practice every day during the lockdown, you can’t go out. Of course, you can do other things like gym (training), but it’s not easy for everyone. It is quite easy for chess players. You need a laptop and you can practice.
I am thankful to my sponsors Ramco, who have been supporting me since 2016, when I was 10 years old. Apart from this, I have recently joined IndianOil. So I must say thanks to both. I don’t think it is possible to reach this level without their support. Thanks to everyone who supported me and wished me the best.
> The pandemic has forced chess to be played online more than ever. How did you find the two versions – online and on board separately?
There are good and bad things about playing online or on the board. I enjoy playing both but at the same time, I think over-the-board chess is more serious, tactical chess. Online is also quite serious. These (online) tournaments are very strong… (in) over-the-board chess, there is a rating, so it’s a lot more competitive in that sense. But…it (online chess) is good enough/you don’t have to travel anywhere, sit there against each player. In general I like to do this.
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Q. Has your coach RB Ramesh made any changes in the online version?
No its nothing like that. I was preparing myself just like I do. Nothing has changed. But of course in the last few months we have been analyzing our game a lot. I am trying to work on the mistakes I am making, trying to correct them.
> How do you prepare for the match? What is its mental and physical side?
I don’t usually prepare mentally before a game. I just try to be game ready and try to be in the frame of mind to play competitive sports. I work with Ramesh sir, he is my coach. I am also a part of Westbridge-Anand Chess Academy (WACA). (Viswanathan) Thanks to Anand sir, I am learning a lot from there… It has always been a busy schedule for me with classes as I also practice with my coach.
What role have Viswanathan Anand and VAKA played in your development as a chess player?
He (Anand) has been my biggest (biggest) support. whenever i have any doubt i can just message him,he replies very soon… what did i do wrong(in a match), i can just message him and sir ready to analyze it Will be I am very happy that I am also a part of Westbridge-Anand Chess Academy where I have four other coaches. I am in constant touch with sir. It’s been a great experience for me.
> What is life like in school for a chess grandmaster?
I don’t have many friends in school. I don’t go to school much. Whenever there is an exam, the school teachers help me to read and help me understand the lessons easily, so that I can write the exam. I must say thank you to Velammal School and the teachers there. I am still going through board exams. They (teachers) have taught me important things, like important lessons which are difficult to learn, they will teach me. I am fortunate to have come to this school like this.
> Have you been surprised by the amount of attention you’ve received, especially after the win against Magnus Carlsen?
I accepted the event knowing that there would be exams too, but I thought I would play without any pressure. It’s always a good opportunity to play with these guys (Carlson, Giri, Liren and others). But I didn’t expect that I would reach the finals. I definitely surprised myself, but I think I just played well enough. I am happy with it. Pleasantly surprised.
> Do you rely on a particular technology?
Nowadays, it’s difficult to play an opening, so I don’t come prepared. You just have to be wide with openness, always having some element of surprise for your opponent. That way I wouldn’t say I have a specific opening that works against everyone. It’s about being broad and trying to surprise everyone.
> Are you working on anything in particular to take this momentum forward?
Lately, I have played a lot of tournaments. Over the past six months, I’ve been doing well. Earlier, I was making a lot of mistakes, which we recognized and tried to work on. It’s one of the reasons I think I’m playing better now. I think I had a problem with time management, chess clock management, but I think it’s much better now. It is important to work on the weaknesses.