
Why Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura Are Ditching Classical Chess, Reveals Young Star R Praggnanandhaa!
2025-07-03
Author: Siti
In a candid revelation, chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa sheds light on why top players like Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura are moving away from classical chess formats.
Praggnanandhaa explains that the draining nature of traditional chess tournaments leads players to seek more engaging alternatives. "Playing numerous tournaments can be tough; you end up mentally and physically exhausted. That’s why many are leaning towards different formats,” he said.
The young Grandmaster expressed his personal preference for freestyle chess, highlighting its less demanding nature. "Freestyle is so much more enjoyable because there’s no need to prepare for hours before a game. While we love improving our skills, the grind of three to four hours of prep before each match can be overwhelming. I definitely prefer rapid and blitz formats over classical chess,” he admits.
Interestingly, even legends like the five-time world champion Carlsen and world No. 2 Nakamura have opted to reduce their classical game count, focusing instead on rapid, blitz, and freestyle chess.
But Praggnanandhaa is not just making waves with his insights—he's also leaving a mark on the chessboard. At just 19, he has already clinched three prestigious titles this year, including the Tata Steel Chess tournament and the Superbet Chess Classic in Romania. His stellar performance at the UzChess Cup in Tashkent also propelled him into the global spotlight, achieving a career-high ranking of world No. 4 as per the latest FIDE ratings released on July 1.
With a thriving talent and fresh perspectives on chess formats, Praggnanandhaa is undoubtedly a player to watch as he navigates the evolving world of chess!