R Praggnanandhaa has had a tough run in recent months, having gone through a decline in the second half of 2025 and finishing a lowly 11th at the recent Tata Steel Chess tournament after entering as the defending champion.

R Praggnanandhaa isn’t exactly a favourite heading into the 2026 Candidates Tournament. Not only is the Indian Grandmaster up against the likes of Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana – two of the world’s top-three players – he also happens to be woefully out of form at the moment.

The 20-year-old had a fantastic start last year by winning the Tata Steel Chess Tournament followed by victories at Superbet Chess Classic Romania as well as the UzChess Cup. Praggnanandhaa’s form, however, took a hit in the second half of the year as the former Indian No 1 struggled at the FIDE Grand Swiss and World Cup as well as in the Grand Chess Tour Finals and the World Rapid and Blitz Championships.

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More recently, his title defence at the Tata Steel Chess ended with ‘Pragg’ finishing 11th out of 14 competitors.

‘To be in good form is crucial’

His poor run in recent months does not necessarily mean Praggnanandhaa cannot win the Candidates, the
event that takes place in Cyprus from 28 March to 16 April in which he is the lone Indian in action. However, according to Israeli GM and 2011 Candidates winner Boris Gelfand, form does play a major role at the prestigious tournament, which decides the player that gets to challenge the reigning Classical world champion for the title.

“Of course, one has to reach peak form. I remember before that Candidates, a few days before, my head felt so clear. Some openings I analysed immediately showed the most interesting directions,” Gelfand told FIDE.

“To be in good form is crucial. The one who reaches the best form has a clear advantage. But it is also important to stay cool throughout the tournament. It is unlikely someone will win convincingly all the way; there will be ups and downs,” added the 57-year-old.

The Belarusian-born GM added that while form was crucial, luck also played a role in what arguably is the most important tournament in chess after the World Championship.

“Of course, luck is hugely important in every tournament, and this one even more. Luck can be not only when your opponent blunders, but also in pairings. You might face a player who has just lost one or two games, and that can give you a better chance,” he added.

Gelfand had defeated Alexander Grischuk in the final of the 2011 Candidates in Kazan, Russia, earning the right to challenge Viswanathan Anand in the 2012 FIDE World Championship.

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And while he fought hard in the title match, with the scoreline reading 6-6 at the end of the 12 Classical games, Gelfand went down fighting against the Indian chess icon in the rapid tie-breaks.

HomeSportsChessAmid Praggnanandhaa’s poor run, former Candidates winner says good form crucial for victory: ‘Has a clear advantage’End of Article