Praggnanadhaa answers fans questions in a Reddit Ask Me Anything
When a random username called “TechnicalEgg1234” popped up on Reddit, no one expected it to be Praggnanandhaa. But it was and he was there to chat with fans in an Ask Me Anything session. Pragg spoke about everything from his love for dosa, Tamil comedies to big career moments, tough losses and mental strength. He even shared insights on how he handles pressure, prepares for big tournaments, and stays motivated even after setbacks. Check out the article to read all the questions and answers from this fun and honest conversation. Photo: chesscom
AMA with Praggnanandhaa!
On 9th December, chess fans were handed a puzzle: who was the elusive TechnicalEgg1234? The mystery didn’t last long, turns out to be none other than Praggnanandhaa! He was all set to answer fans' questions on Reddit.
Pragg Responds to Fan Questions:
External-Blood7871: Favourite piece to attack with?
Pragg: Queen and knight combination is deadly!
harshitahappy: Hi Pragg. Really like to watch you play. 1. What is your comfort food during long tournaments? 2. What's your opinion on Fischer random? 3. How do you think events like GCL affect the chess scene? 4. What are some lesser-known players that we should watch out for? Congrats on qualifying for the candidates once again, and Congrats to Vaishali as well. All the Best!
Pragg: Hi, 1. I prefer south indian cuisine 2. I always enjoyed playing Freestyle but am focusing right now on classical chess. 3. GCL is great event for the sport to grow. It provides a lot of excitement to chess fans all over the world 4. Watch out for Pranesh, Grandmaster from India! Thanks for your wishes!
radnus1987: Hi Pragg, firstly, thanks for giving us the opportunity to connect with you! As someone looking to improve my game, I would like to know from you what the one important habit that you followed over the years that has significantly helped you improve in chess?
Pragg: My trainers have always emphasized working hard, which I try to follow.
sofias_prsnlzed_gfts: Hello Pragg! Congratulations on your qualification as a candidate and wishing you the best for it. My question to you is, what are some of the steps you take to build the mental strength to remain calm and focused during high-pressure games and tournaments? Could you share some simple tips that the young kids could follow and help them develop these skills early on?
Pragg: Thanks! It's important to remember that our opponents are also under the same pressure as we are! So just try to calm yourself and focus on the next move.
Newspaper-Loose: Favorite opening and why?
Pragg: Italian has always been my go-to opening since childhood!
Thestockfischers: Do you feel the “Indian Fab Four” rivalry (You, Gukesh, Arjun, Nihal) makes you stronger?
Pragg: Yes, definitely! It helped all of us to progress faster
Fastest__Sloth: Trash talk or win and walk off?
Pragg: Win and walk off. :)
Intelligent_Course12: What's something misunderstood in chess improvement?
Pragg: Working too much on openings in the beginning stage.
Thestockfischers: Hi Pragg, Thankyou for taking out time for this AMA! Our Question to you is, "What’s one habit you think every improving chess player should build, regardless of rating?"
Pragg: One has to work hard, regardless of the rating. There are no shortcuts!
Thestockfischers: What’s a moment from your career that still gives you goosebumps?
Pragg: Winning Wijk aan Zee this year!
Intelligent_Course12: In your preparation for GCL Season 3, what's one change you've made?
Pragg: Nothing specific, just trying to be well rested and to be in good frame of mind!
AdRelevant935: How do you recover mentally after a game where you miss a winning line you’d normally spot? Do you have a routine for resetting your confidence?
Pragg: Its difficult and everyone finds their own way to deal with it. Generally, I try not to think about the game and relax by watching some comedies and going for walks. I don't analyze my mistakes deeply during the tournament, especially after a tough game, because it may affect subsequent games.
Thestockfischers: Is there any advice from Vaishali that still guides you today?
Pragg: I run away when she starts her advice 😂
No_Author7343: Should I use multiple openings or focus on one? Do I study middle games or end games? What did you do to get to GM at such a young age?
Pragg: When you're starting out, it's important to focus more on middlegame ideas and endgames, and regarding openings, to follow general opening principles, such as controlling the center, developing pieces, etc.
Thestockfischers: If you could steal one skill from any GM, what would it be?
Pragg: Every chess skill from Magnus!😂
Ms_SmallShot: Hello, Pragg! Firstly, big congratulations to the Candidates! Wish u all the very best! You never seem rattled at the board. Do you have any specific mental techniques that help you stay calm? Also, how do you handle the transition between huge tournaments back-to-back? And finally, what is your comfort food during or after tournaments?
Pragg: Thank you! I don't have any specific technique; just focusing on the next move does help. I try to be well rested before every event, which will be the priority. My comfort food has always been dosa!
Relative_Mistake_867: One myth you want to bust about chess players?
Pragg: Chess players are intelligent😂
cursed-blessing: Hi, it's great to have you here! I saw in another answer that you like watching comedies to relax and I was wondering what some of your favorite shows are.
Pragg: Usually some Tamil comedies!
Thestockfischers: Fav character in Harry Potter...
Pragg: Ron!
Hardik1215: What are you most excited about this season with the Alpine SG Pipers? 🙋♂️
Pragg: To play alongside the other 2 candidates!
thoragnarook_chess: Hey Pragg! I hope you are doing great and having a wonderful time! Recently, I invented a new gambit which I named "Equus Gambit". I would like to know your opinion and ideas about it! https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/3Mzz9YwbEv/analysis. The above is a full analysis board with all the lines and variations! Thank you for your time! I hope you have a great day ahead!
Pragg: Thank you for your wishes! Sure, will take a look.
WannaBeLuffy11: What are some openings you would recommend for a beginner (easiest to learn/play at low-level rapid games)?
Pragg: london system can be easy to learn and might help you to score some wins!
Fastest__Sloth: One moment from the previous 2 GCL seasons that stands out for you?
Pragg: Watching the live match of Anand sir - Magnus in 2023, it was insane to follow! We won that match. :)
thebhaavik: One talent nobody knows you have?
Pragg: I guess am a quick learner.
thebhaavik: One word for the Alpine SG Pipers
Pragg: Strong!
Intelligent_Course12: One dream opponent from any era you'd like yo face-off against?
Pragg: Kasparov!
Thestockfischers: Which opponent has the best table-talk or off-board humour?
Pragg: Anish!
Thestockfischers: What’s your guilty pleasure outside of chess—movies, games, music?
Pragg: All of the above 😂
Hardik1215: At what age did you decide to take up chess as a professional sport?
Pragg: It has always been chess from an early age. I started playing chess at the age of 3!
countingblunders: hey pragg! What are your top 5 favorite chess books that had an immense effect on your chess?
Pragg: Middlegame combinations, Imagination in chess, Dvorestsky endgame manual, Gelfand book series!
Thestockfischers: What’s the funniest thing that happened during a classical game?
Pragg: In Wijk ann zee 2022, when I was playing with Magnus, during the game, he pressed the clock by adjusting a piece without making a move!
thebhaavik: Your comfort food before a big game?
Pragg: Dosa. :)
Hardik1215: What are the messages you want to give to all the youngsters playing competitive chess?
Pragg: Most important thing is to have fun with the game, enjoy playing and not to worry about results.
Relative_Mistake_867: Which face-off are you most excited about for GCL Season 3?
Pragg: Facing off the defending champions, Triveni!
Relative_Mistake_867: One sport you love watching apart from chess?
Pragg: Cricket!
SpecialistJacket1939: How many hours a week do you practice chess?
Pragg: It depends, about 6-7 hrs a day.
Zaron_467: Hi Pragg, why are you not playing more in Titled Tuesday? Also, do you have any plans to attend university in the future?
Pragg: I used to play a lot of titled tuesday earlier. But this year have been playing a lot of over-the-board events.
Thestockfischers: Which chess piece has the most "aura" as kids these days would say, according to you?
Pragg: Knight :)
Thestockfischers: What’s one thing you always tease Gukesh or Arjun about?
Pragg: Let that be a secret!
Thestockfischers: Who is the funniest Indian GM?
Pragg: Mee 😂
radnus1987: Favourite Indian Chess player of all time and favourite non-Indian chess player of all time?
Pragg: Anand sir and Magnus
Hardik1215: Who is your biggest supporter in life?
Pragg: My family!
Thestockfischers: Who in the Indian chess circuit tells the best stories during dinner?
Pragg: Ganguly!
Thestockfischers: What’s your proudest moment with your sister, Vaishali... not as a GM, but as a brother?
Pragg: As a brother, it inspires me, how she recovers strongly from a bad phase.
No_Valuable8913: Hi Pragg! Congrats on the Candidates spot!!! Is this you or your team answering these questions?
Pragg: Its me Pragg 😂
Thestockfischers: If you could relive any single day from your chess career, which day would you choose?
Pragg: Receiving a gold medal in chess olympiad 2024.
fluffy_genitals: Hello, pragg. Swiss, round robin or knockouts? Which one is your favourite?
Pragg: Looking at my results this year, I guess round robin! 😂
Check out the entire Reddit thread here.
