Nepomniachtchi’s Candid Insights on Indian Chess: Praise for Erigaisi, Concerns for Gukesh
Nepomniachtchi Offers Candid Insights on Indian Chess Stars, Critiques Gukesh’s Performance
In a recent interview with ChessBase India, Russian grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi shared his thoughts on the burgeoning chess scene in India, praising the country’s rising stars while offering a critical perspective on reigning world champion D. Gukesh.
Nepomniachtchi, a two-time Candidates Tournament winner, highlighted the remarkable chess boom in India, attributing it to the success of young players like Arjun Erigaisi, R. Praggnanandhaa, and Gukesh. He described Erigaisi as the “most practical” among the trio, noting his aggressive style and willingness to take risks. “Arjun’s creativity shines in open tournaments, where he often turns unfavorable positions into victories,” Nepomniachtchi remarked, referencing Erigaisi’s recent success in Sweden.
Turning to Praggnanandhaa, Nepomniachtchi acknowledged his balanced playing style but suggested that the young prodigy might be experiencing a dip in form after a stellar previous year. “He may have played a bit too much chess and could benefit from some time to regain his rhythm,” he said.
However, it was Gukesh who drew the harshest critique from Nepomniachtchi. “He is a mystery to me,” he stated, expressing concern over the stark contrast between Gukesh’s best classical performances and his weaker showings in tournaments. “His rapid and blitz ratings are significantly lower than his classical level, which is unusual for someone of his age,” Nepomniachtchi added, highlighting a puzzling trend in Gukesh’s development.
Nepomniachtchi also touched on the shifting landscape of chess ratings, noting the fluctuating positions of Indian players in the global rankings. “A couple of years ago, there were three Indians in the top five. Now, there may not even be one in the top ten,” he observed, while questioning the fairness of the current FIDE rating system.
As Indian chess continues to rise on the world stage, Nepomniachtchi’s insights serve as both praise and a call to action for the young talents emerging from the country. With the chess community watching closely, the future of Indian chess looks promising, albeit with challenges to overcome.
First Published: May 23, 2026, 20:40 IST