Chess World Reacts: Praggnanandhaa Weighs In on Carlsen's Table Slam After Gukesh Defeat

Following Magnus Carlsen's dramatic table slam after his defeat to D. Gukesh at the Norway Chess tournament, Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa offered his perspective on the incident. The moment, widely circulated online, sparked debate about sportsmanship and the pressures of elite competition.

Praggnanandhaa acknowledged the intensity of the moment, stating, "Yes, it was an instinctive reaction. I think it does happen to players. I've done it sometimes, but rarely." He noted that such displays of frustration, while perhaps not ideal, are not uncommon in the heat of competition.

He further commented on the attention the incident garnered: "I think so many people got to know that something like this happened and it became such a big thing on the internet... I think it's good for the game in a way because a lot of people got to know that there was such a tournament going on and that such a dramatic game happened." Praggnanandhaa suggested that the controversy ultimately benefited chess by raising its profile.

Despite the rise of young talents like Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa maintains respect for the Norwegian grandmaster: "I think Magnus is still the best player in the world. There’s no question about it. Every time he plays, he’s the favourite." He highlighted Carlsen's exceptional performance at the Grand Slam Freestyle as evidence of his continued dominance.

While acknowledging Carlsen's status, Praggnanandhaa has also been making waves in the chess world. After a relatively quiet 2024, he has secured three major classical titles this year: the Tata Steel Masters, Superbet Classic in Bucharest, and the UzChess Cup Masters. These victories have propelled him to become India's highest-rated player, currently ranked World No. 4.

Regarding his recent success, Praggnanandhaa explained, "I'm much more confident now and much more ambitious than earlier. And, hopefully, I'll make it to the Candidates." He attributes his improved performance to a shift in mindset and increased determination.

He also touched on the role of luck in tie-breaks: “I do think tie-breaks require some luck... But I think being calm also helps in such situations where you are playing for high stakes in such a short time." He recognizes the pressure of these high-stakes situations but emphasizes the importance of maintaining composure.

Looking ahead to the Candidates Tournament, Praggnanandhaa is focused on securing a spot: "Yes, there are different (several) spots, of course. I am currently leading (the race for a Candidates spot) but there is still a lot of fight till December." He is also aiming to qualify through the Grand Swiss and the World Cup to avoid waiting until the end of the year.

Finally, Praggnanandhaa praised the overall performance of Indian chess players: "But, I think, overall, we (Indians) are doing well... We are also inspiring each other." He highlighted Gukesh's victory at the Candidates Tournament and Arjun Erigaisi's crossing of the 2800 rating threshold as significant achievements.