![\"D](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-129195286,imgsize-91430,width-400,resizemode-4\/india39s-top-chess-grandmasters-undergoing-poor-form-at-the-moment.jpg\" "\\"India's")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: When Grandmaster (GM) Gukesh Dommaraju paused in the middle of the Prague Masters to apologise to fans, the moment felt unusually raw and emotional.\u201cI really appreciate all the fans coming here every day. But I want to apologise to them. This tournament has been tough for me, and on some days I just want to be left alone,” the youngest-ever world chess champion said. “I generally make sure to give autographs and photographs after the game, but I haven\u2019t been in a great mood here.\u201dThe admission carried weight, especially for a player who has only been navigating the highs and lows of being a world champion for less than 24 months.<\/p>\n Inside the Life of Belarus\u2019s Top Chess Player Amid Russia-Ukraine Turmoil | Denis Lazavik Exclusive<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Champions rarely reveal vulnerability so openly, almost never during tournaments. Yet this apology struck a chord across the chess world as it seemed to hint at something deeper.Indian chess, which has enjoyed a golden phase in recent times, is currently undergoing an alarming dip at the top of the pyramid.For example, the first FIDE rating list of 2026 in January featured three Indian GMs, Arjun Erigaisi, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, and Gukesh, in the top 10.Two months later, in March, the scenario changed drastically. Erigaisi and Praggnanandhaa have slipped out of the top 10, while Gukesh, occupying the 10th spot in the latest rating list, risks losing more points after a difficult run (only one win in 10 rounds) in Prague. <\/p>\n D Gukesh (Photo by Michal Walusza\/FIDE)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n At a time when the chess calendar is heading toward a crucial phase, with the Candidates Tournament followed by the World Chess Championship, the dip has prompted questions.Is this just a temporary fluctuation? Or are there deeper issues affecting India\u2019s brightest talents?Does the current dip in form for Indian top grandmasters sound alarm bells?“Of course, it’s a matter of concern,” veteran Grandmaster Pravin Thipsay told TimesofIndia.com during an exclusive interaction.\u201cWhen players who were approaching or crossing 2800 suddenly drop by 40 or 50 points, it certainly deserves serious attention.\u201dThe reasons, according to Thipsay, are complex but interconnected.<\/p>\n Ironically, one of the biggest factors behind the slump could be the sheer volume of chess the young stars are playing.\u201cThe first reason, in my opinion, is that they are simply playing too much,\u201d Thipsay explained. \u201cBecause they have become very strong, they receive a lot of invitations. Naturally, they end up playing far more tournaments than most players usually do.\u201dHe continued, \u201cTop players often receive appearance fees that can be higher than the prize money itself. Earlier, they played mainly for prizes. Now, the starting money becomes a major factor. Financially, it can be difficult to refuse invitations.\u201dRelationships with organisers also play a role. \u201cMany organisers supported these players when they started out in their careers. Naturally, players feel obliged to accept those invitations,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n Praggnanandhaa R against Matthias Bl\u00fcbaum (Photo by Frans Peeters\/Tata Steel Chess)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n What follows next is a relentless tournament schedule. From classical tournaments to online events such as Titled Tuesdays and Freestyle Friday, the calendar rarely allows breathing space.Grandmaster Shyam Sundar M, whose relentless contribution through coaching has gifted India multiple GMs in recent times, echoes the same concern about the modern schedule.\u201cThe top 10 fluctuates frequently, not just for Indians,\u201d Shyam Sundar added. \u201cPlayers today compete in classical tournaments, rapid, blitz, Chess960 team events and many other competitions. Without enough breaks, it\u2019s natural that results will fluctuate.\u201dThe consequence, he explains, is that players often arrive at the most important tournament not fully refreshed.<\/p>\n Another factor, Thipsay believes, lies in the unique status Indian chess players enjoy at home.\u201cThe social status of Indian players today is much higher than what players like Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Alireza Firouzja or Fabiano Caruana experience in their countries,\u201d he said.In India, chess stars have become celebrities. And recently, this idea was put into perspective by FIDE itself when they put out a social media post comparing Instagram follower counts of the Candidates. And unsurprisingly, two of the top three were Indians.\u201cThey receive huge media attention, encouragement, and financial offers. Endorsements and brand collaborations bring good money, but they also take a lot of your time and mental energy,\u201d Thipsay added.These commitments may appear minor compared to the rigours of professional chess; but over time, they can shift focus. \u201cFinancial rewards outside chess can become a distraction and may hamper concentration,\u201d Thipsay told this website.<\/p>\n Another factor shaping modern chess is the structure of tournaments themselves. Today’s leading players often compete repeatedly against the same small group of elite opponents in closed events.\u201cSince the days of Garry Kasparov<\/a>, the top players have mostly played among themselves in elite events,\u201d Thipsay stated. “Even Anatoly Karpov played many open tournaments against ordinary players. That tradition has largely disappeared.\u201dThe result is a tight competitive ecosystem. <\/p>\n Arjun Erigaisi vs Praggnanandhaa R (Photo by Frans Peeters\/Tata Steel Chess)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \u201cWhen you play the same opponents repeatedly, you become very familiar with their styles. Preparation becomes about guessing what your opponent will play rather than discovering new ideas.\u201dIn contrast, open tournaments force players to think independently, which the top stars are lacking these days.\u201cWhen these players rose rapidly in 2022 and 2023, they were playing many Swiss tournaments. You faced unknown opponents, unpredictable positions, and that sharpened their creativity. New strategic ideas won’t come to you if you are playing the same players, again and again. So that’s very serious.\u201d<\/p>\n According to Thipsay, the overwhelming role of computer preparation has subtly changed how players think.\u201cToday, many players buy enormous amounts of prepared material from analysts or trainers. Often, these analysts are not strong players themselves; they simply run engines and provide computer suggestions,\u201d he revealed. \u201cA human process is different. You understand the position, identify strategic ideas, analyse tactics, and then reach a logical decision. With engine preparation, you are given the move, but you may not understand why it works.\u201dHe cites a famous remark by Jos\u00e9 Ra\u00fal Capablanca, adding, \u201cAlmost 100 years ago, Capablanca once said: \u2018The best way to win is the easiest way.\u2019 But the easiest path is different for every player.\u201dWhen players follow computer lines that do not suit their style, problems emerge. \u201cYou might know that the engine says a move is best, but you have not truly grasped the idea behind it,\u201d the veteran GM added.<\/p>\n Thipsay feels the Indian trio\u2019s distinctive styles have slightly faded in recent months.\u201cPraggnanandhaa was once one of the most dangerous attacking players, but he isn\u2019t getting many attacking positions now. Gukesh was phenomenal defensively, as his accuracy in events like the Olympiad was extraordinary.\u201dHe believes opponents are now adapting.\u201cRivals are preparing specific strategies to complicate games. Meanwhile, Arjun and Gukesh have lost some accuracy, and Praggnanandhaa some initiative.\u201dHowever, all is not lost as Thipsay remains optimistic. <\/p>\n Arjun Erigaisi (Photo by Mukhammadbobur Makhmarayimov)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \u201cIf these players return to playing their natural games and perhaps include more open tournaments, the situation can change quickly,\u201d he added.Shyam Sundar, on the other hand, cautions against reading too much into short-term dips.\u201cSometimes players experiment with their games as well,\u201d he added.\u201cFor example, Gukesh himself has spoken about trying new things after becoming world champion. When players experiment, results can suffer temporarily even though the quality of chess remains strong.“When players are competing across formats and experimenting with ideas, you will naturally see ups and downs in results. But that doesn\u2019t mean the players have suddenly become weaker.” <\/p>\n If these players return to playing their natural games and perhaps include more open tournaments, the situation can change quickly<\/p>\n GM Pravin Thipsay Coach Shyam Sundar insists Indian players still command immense respect globally. In fact, according to him, the temporary dip might even serve as motivation.\u201cWherever you go, when someone faces an Indian player, they know they have to be fully prepared. That respect hasn\u2019t changed,\u201d added the 33-year-old.<\/p>\n Beyond individual performance, the structure of Indian chess itself raises some alarm bells. \u201cIndian chess has always been very individualistic. None of these champions has been created by a system,\u201d Thipsay, who became a GM in 1997, admitted.Unlike the Soviet model that produced legends such as Mikhail Tal and Kasparov, India\u2019s success stories often emerge from personal and family effort.\u201cParents sacrifice careers, invest time and resources, and players build themselves through sheer dedication,\u201d 66-year-old Thipsay added. \u201cJust because three players reach the top 10 today does not mean we will automatically produce three more in ten years.\u201dREAD ALSO: <\/span>India gets its 93rd GM: Mother quit job for chess \u2014 the making of Aarav Dengla influenced by D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi<\/a>That model makes sustained dominance difficult, as Thipsay said, \u201cOut of millions who play online chess, only about 36,000 players in India are registered for AICF over-the-board tournaments.\u201dFor now, India\u2019s chess revolution continues to be powered by extraordinary individuals. Whether it can evolve into a system capable of producing champions generation after generation remains the bigger game still to be won.<\/div>\n\n![\"D](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/imgsize-23456,msid-129195694\/d-gukesh-photo-by-michal-waluszafide.jpg\" "\\"D")
<\/p>\nPlaying too much chess<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
![\"Praggnanandhaa](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/imgsize-23456,msid-129195924\/praggnanandhaa-r-against-matthias-blbaum-photo-by-frans-peeterstata-steel-chess.jpg\" "\\"Praggnanandhaa")
<\/p>\nStardom and distractions<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
The closed circuit problem<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
![\"Arjun](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/imgsize-23456,msid-129195963\/arjun-erigaisi-vs-praggnanandhaa-r-photo-by-frans-peeterstata-steel-chess.jpg\" "\\"Arjun")
<\/p>\nThe engine era dilemma<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Losing their natural strengths<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
![\"Arjun](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/imgsize-23456,msid-129196005\/arjun-erigaisi-photo-by-mukhammadbobur-makhmarayimov.jpg\" "\\"Arjun")
<\/p>\nThe bitter truth about Indian chess<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n