New Delhi: Five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand has praised R Praganandha’s recent form and suggested that world champion D Gokesh look to the young grandmaster’s example as he tries to regain momentum. Praganandha recently became the first Indian to win Norwegian chess, while Gokesh had a disappointing campaign and finished sixth.Anand said he was impressed by Praganananda’s fighting spirit and the way he came back strongly in the latter stages of the tournament. “I am happy that Praganandha has won the Norwegian Chess Championship in impressive fashion. I am very happy with the great turnaround (he made) in the last four rounds. He is playing the game with some amazingly impressive concepts and style,” Anand told PTI.With Gokesh preparing to defend his world title against Javakhir Sindarov later this year, Anand believes the youngster can learn from Praganananda’s tenacity. According to the veteran grandmaster, Praganandha is in good form at the moment, although fortunes in chess can change quickly.“Right now, Pragnandha is playing better than Gokesh, but anything can change. I think there will be frequent form swings. Gokesh seems to be stuck a bit. I think he can take inspiration from Prag. He can see that if you keep working hard, things will turn around at some point,” he added.Anand noted that Praganananda’s aggressive style has been consistent over the past year and a half, with the player always ready to take risks and fight for results. He also highlighted the healthy rivalry between Gokesh, Praganandha and Arjun Erigisi, saying that never before in Indian chess had three players pushed each other to such a high level.Chess legends were equally happy with India’s overall rise in the game. With 95 grandmasters, one reigning world champion and several elite players competing at the highest level, Anand believes that India is now among the top three countries in the world of chess.
