R Praggnanandhaa Reflects on India's Silver-Medal Finish at Chess Olympiad

India's Silver-Medal Finish at the 46th Chess Olympiad

Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, India's sole representative in the open section of the 2026 Candidates Tournament, reflected on India's silver-medal finish and his individual bronze at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Pragg, a 21-year-old grandmaster from Chennai, maintained that the quality of his play was high throughout the tournament, despite managing only three wins from his 10 games. His captain, Srinath Narayanan, praised Pragg's performance, stating that he created chances in almost every game and was never in danger of losing.

However, Pragg acknowledged that he missed several winning chances, including a completely winning position against Anton in the match against Spain. He attributed this to the unpredictability of sports, where sometimes opportunities are seized effortlessly, while other times they are missed.

The Critical Match: India vs. Uzbekistan

Pragg identified the match against Uzbekistan as the critical one in the tournament, which ultimately decided the silver medal for India. He explained that the Uzbek team knew this match would be a final, and the outcome was influenced by an unfortunate moment when Nihal Sarin blundered his queen.

Pragg emphasized that one blunder can happen to anyone at any stage of a tournament and that the team stood together to recover from the setback. He also credited padel sessions between games with helping the team stay united.

Looking Ahead: Clutch Chess and the Total Chess World Championship Tour

With the Olympiad behind him, Pragg is now focusing on his next two stops: Clutch Chess in the US and the Total Chess World Championship Tour pilot event in Budapest. He feels that his recent results have helped him move past the disappointment of the Candidates Tournament and is eager to continue his journey towards a title shot.