Caruana Discusses the Future of Young Chess Stars Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Erigaisi at American Cup 2026
Young Chess Prodigies Face Challenges Ahead of World Championship
American Cup 2026 – In a candid conversation with Maurice Ashley, chess grandmaster Fabiano Caruana shared insights on the future of rising stars Gukesh D, Praggnanandhaa, and Arjun Erigaisi, emphasizing their potential despite recent struggles.
As the chess world gears up for the highly anticipated World Chess Championship at the end of the year, Gukesh D, currently the only player guaranteed a spot in the event, finds himself in a precarious position. Following a recent defeat to Aravindh Chithambaram, Gukesh has dropped to world No. 20 in the live rankings, raising concerns about his form.
Caruana, however, remains optimistic. “It can’t feel nice to be playing poorly, but I still consider him a very top player regardless of a few bad months,” he stated. “Perhaps the last year has definitely not been great for him, but I don’t doubt his quality.”
The struggles are not limited to Gukesh. His compatriots, Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi, have also faced challenges in recent tournaments. Caruana noted, “It’s a bit of a small sample size. It’s a short time period, and they’re all very young. Everyone’s thinking about Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Arjun, who had really great years.”
Indeed, 2025 was a standout year for Praggnanandhaa, who clinched multiple tournament victories, while Gukesh was hailed as the best player in the world in 2024. However, the pressure is mounting as the trio navigates a competitive landscape filled with seasoned players.
Erigaisi’s recent disappointment in missing out on qualifying for the 2026 Candidates Tournament adds to the tension. The Candidates, set to determine who will challenge Gukesh for the World Championship title, will feature formidable opponents, including Caruana himself, Anish Giri, and Hikaru Nakamura.
As the chess community watches closely, the question remains: can these young talents regain their footing and rise to the occasion? With the World Championship looming, all eyes will be on Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Erigaisi as they strive to reclaim their positions among the elite.
For more on Gukesh’s recent ranking drop, read here.