Kasparov Critiques Praggnanandhaa’s Performance: “A Bleak Shadow” of His Former Self

R Praggnanandhaa Faces Tough Times at FIDE Candidates, Kasparov Weighs In

Nicosia, Cyprus – Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa is currently grappling with a challenging phase at the FIDE Candidates tournament, where he finds himself struggling to regain his former glory. The 20-year-old Grandmaster, who once dazzled the chess world, has drawn sharp criticism from legendary six-time world champion Garry Kasparov, who described him as a “bleak shadow” of his former self.

Praggnanandhaa, the sole Indian competitor in the ‘Open’ category, began the tournament on a high note with a morale-boosting victory over Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri. However, since that initial success, he has failed to secure a single win, leaving him languishing near the bottom of the standings with just four points after ten rounds.

With only four rounds remaining, including a crucial match against German GM Matthias Bluebaum, Praggnanandhaa’s hopes of setting up a historic all-Indian World Championship showdown against fellow countryman Gukesh Dommaraju appear increasingly dim.

Kasparov, speaking during the 10th round of the tournament, expressed his disappointment in Praggnanandhaa’s performance. “Pragg was on the rise, and just now it’s like he’s a bleak shadow of what we saw a couple of years ago,” he remarked. The Russian chess icon noted that while Praggnanandhaa’s play remains of high quality, it lacks the “spice” needed to compete effectively at this elite level.

“Stale is a very good word. Something is missing… it’s still top, top quality, but definitely not enough to actually beat your peers at that level,” Kasparov added, highlighting the stark contrast between Praggnanandhaa’s current form and his previous performances.

The criticism comes on the heels of Kasparov’s earlier remarks regarding Gukesh’s reign as world champion, further emphasizing the scrutiny facing young Indian chess players on the global stage. Both Kasparov and his long-time rival Anatoly Karpov have questioned the legitimacy of Gukesh’s title, suggesting that the absence of Magnus Carlsen from the World Championship scene has altered the competitive landscape.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Praggnanandhaa to see if he can turn his fortunes around and reclaim his status as one of chess’s brightest young talents. With the chess world watching closely, the pressure is on for the young Grandmaster to rise to the occasion and prove that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.

First Published: April 11, 2026, 21:33 IST