Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa has admitted that missing out on the Candidates Tournament title was difficult to accept after dedicating the past two years to earning a shot at the world championship, but says he is now focused on rediscovering his enjoyment of chess.
The 20-year-old, who finished seventh at the 2026 Candidates Tournament won by Javokhir Sindarov, said the disappointment was particularly painful because qualification for the event had been his primary goal.
“In the last two years I was thinking only about this cycle,” Praggnanandhaa said. “I sort of gave everything for this. There was nothing else I was thinking about.”
The Chennai-based player is now seeking to put that setback behind him at Norway Chess, where he remains in contention for the title with two rounds remaining, trailing leader Wesley So by two points.
Praggnanandhaa said that after the Candidates he wanted to step away from the relentless pursuit of qualification points and rankings.
“After the Candidates, I felt like I just want to enjoy chess now. I just want to play and have fun,” he said.
The Indian star credited his sister, R Vaishali, with helping him cope with the disappointment after she won the Women’s Candidates Tournament and secured a world championship match against Ju Wenjun.
He also revealed plans to reduce his tournament schedule after experiencing signs of burnout from constant travel and competition.
“In three months, I travelled to seven countries, which is too much for anyone,” he said. “You’re going there to fight in every tournament and all these tournaments are super strong. It is mentally tiring.”
Praggnanandhaa said regular breaks would be essential going forward, adding that the demands of elite chess can eventually drain both mental energy and enjoyment.
Despite sacrifices made to pursue his chess career, including not following a conventional academic path, he said he had no regrets and remained grateful for the opportunities the game has provided.
The Grandmaster also reflected on his growing popularity among young fans, saying he always tries to make time for children seeking autographs or photographs because he once looked up to chess heroes in the same way.
With a new World Championship cycle beginning, Praggnanandhaa hopes a strong finish at Norway Chess can mark the start of a fresh chapter after the disappointment of the Candidates.
