By A Staff Reporter
Zagreb, July 1 — Indian chess prodigy and Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa continues his rapid ascent in the global chess arena, recently joining the elite esports and chess organisation Team Liquid, while also receiving high praise from world champions Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana.
Speaking from Zagreb, where he is currently participating in international events, Praggnanandhaa expressed humility and clarity amid the growing attention. “It feels good, but I don’t think it will impact me anyway. I’ll try to continue doing what I’m doing,” he said in response to the endorsements from Carlsen and Caruana.
Their praise, he noted, does offer a motivational boost. “It’s good to see such positive comments. It inspires me to do better and gives me the confidence to succeed. I want to do well in any tournament I play. I think that’s what keeps me going,” he added.
At just 18, Praggnanandhaa has emerged as a central figure in India’s growing chess dominance. His association with Team Liquid—a globally recognised esports powerhouse known for nurturing elite talent—signals a broader trend of mainstreaming chess in digital platforms and youth culture.