French Grandmaster's 'Hot Take' on Praggnanandhaa's Candidates Chances
In a candid assessment that has sparked discussion in the chess world, French Grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave has ranked India's rising star R Praggnanandhaa in the B tier for the upcoming Candidates tournament. Describing his ranking as a bit of a "hot take," Vachier-Lagrave emphasized that while all eight players in the tournament have a legitimate chance to win, he based his evaluation primarily on current form rather than inherent skill.
Skill vs. Form: The Crucial Distinction
Explaining his decision in detail, Vachier-Lagrave, as quoted by The Indian Express, made a clear distinction between Praggnanandhaa's potential and his recent performances. "It’s harsh because you know that skill-wise, if we were in the first six or eight months of 2025 right now, Pragg would have been at S tier," he stated. This comment underscores the French GM's belief that Praggnanandhaa possesses top-tier talent, but his recent tournament results have not reflected that level.
Vachier-Lagrave pointed to specific events where he observed a dip in performance, including the Grand Swiss, World Cup, and the Wijk aan Zee tournament. He expressed particular concern about the Wijk performance, noting, "I’m really not convinced from his Wijk performance. And Wijk can do some damage also." According to his analysis, these tournaments collectively indicate a struggle to maintain the peak form that Praggnanandhaa demonstrated earlier in 2025.
The Timing Challenge and Recovery from Slumps
A key factor in the B-tier ranking is the proximity of the Candidates tournament. Vachier-Lagrave believes there may not be sufficient time for a full resurgence in form before the competition begins. "If I have the guarantee that he will manage to find the key to break that spiral, I would put him at S tier. But now I’m going to put him in the B tier. That’s how important I think current form is," he elaborated.
He further highlighted the psychological and competitive challenges of recovering from a form slump, especially for a young player like Praggnanandhaa. "It’s a hot take but it’s been 6 months and his form has really not been great," Vachier-Lagrave said. Drawing from personal and observed experiences, he added, "From my own experience and experience of other players—it's not about just one bad Wijk now. It's about six months of tournaments that were far from his best and to detach yourself from six months of so-so results is not easy."
Context and Implications for the Candidates
This ranking places Praggnanandhaa in the third tier among the eight contenders, suggesting that while he is not the outright favorite, he remains a formidable competitor with the skill to potentially upset higher-ranked players. Vachier-Lagrave's assessment serves as a reminder of the intense pressure and rapid fluctuations in form that characterize elite chess, where recent performance often outweighs long-term reputation in pre-tournament predictions.
The analysis also sparks broader conversations about how young talents navigate sustained success at the highest levels of the sport. As the chess community anticipates the Candidates tournament, all eyes will be on whether Praggnanandhaa can defy this ranking and leverage his undeniable skill to mount a serious challenge for the title.
