R Praggnanandhaa has faced a challenging start to his 2026 classical chess campaign at the Tata Steel Chess tournament. The Indian grandmaster suffered twin defeats in his opening rounds. He lost to compatriot Arjun Erigaisi and then to Nodirbek Abdusattorov. These losses come after a remarkably busy and successful 2025 season for the young star.
Fatigue as a Potential Factor
Grandmaster Srinath Narayanan, a coach for many of India's top players, suggests fatigue might be influencing Praggnanandhaa's recent results. Srinath points to the grueling travel schedule Pragg endured last year. The 20-year-old played tournaments across the globe, from Wijk aan Zee to London, with minimal time at home.
"There is a factor of tiredness, fatigue in general," Srinath said. "He mentioned that he was spending a maximum of 15 days at home last year. The mental fatigue catches up with you if you're constantly playing against such top-level opposition so frequently."
A Relentless 2025 Schedule
Praggnanandhaa's 2025 was packed with events. He competed in numerous cities including Prague, Paris, Warsaw, and Saint Louis. He also participated in the FIDE World Cup and the Global Chess League. In an interview last month, Pragg expressed how little rest he had.
"I've hardly been home this year. At most, I got two weeks. To me, that's not really a break, because by the time you feel relaxed, another tournament is there and you have to start playing," Pragg had told The Indian Express.
He even described feeling "dead" during the UzChess Cup in Tashkent. On the final day, he played for seven hours, attended the closing ceremony, and then immediately flew to another tournament.
Contrast with 2025 Success
This slow start sharply contrasts with Praggnanandhaa's triumphant end to 2025. He won the Tata Steel Chess tournament last year in Wijk aan Zee. His victory involved a tie-break against world champion D Gukesh, aided by Arjun Erigaisi's last-round win over Gukesh. That success propelled him to secure a spot in the prestigious Candidates tournament.
Looking Ahead to the Candidates
The Candidates tournament is just over two months away. Praggnanandhaa will need to bounce back quickly from these early setbacks. However, Srinath Narayanan believes these losses are not a major concern yet.
"Obviously, it's not ideal for Pragg to lose any game. But the two results will have almost no relevance to the Candidates because it's still a couple of months away. If anything, it will help Pragg get into better shape," Srinath explained.
The Tata Steel Chess tournament in Wijk aan Zee is known for its demanding format. It spans 13 rounds and is played in freezing conditions. Praggnanandhaa will hope for a turnaround in the remaining 11 rounds, perhaps finding a lucky break as he did last year.
As the chess world watches, all eyes are on how Praggnanandhaa regroups. His performance in the coming weeks could set the tone for his crucial Candidates campaign later this year.
