2 min learnMar 16, 2026 11:30 PM IST
Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand mentioned whereas R Praggnanandhaa has slowed down a bit in the previous couple of months, the 20-year-old can be mentally prepared for the FIDE Candidates event. “He’s (Praggnanandhaa) skilled, however on the identical time he appears to be like very motivated. He has slowed down somewhat bit in the previous couple of months, however perhaps mentally he’s already peaking and preparing for the Candidates,” Anand mentioned on FIDE’s YouTube channel.
“I believe Fabi (Fabiano), Hikaru (Nakamura), Anish (Giri)… you already know that is received to be their time, so they may have that feeling going into it that this can be a probability to seize… and a number of wildcards. However I can’t for the lifetime of me get round to predicting somebody,” the five-time former world champion added.
In the meantime, India’s Koneru Humpy may not be enjoying the ladies’s Candidates regardless of qualifying for the eight-player occasion as a result of the veteran doesn’t wish to threat competing in Cyprus, a rustic which isn’t too distant from nations like Lebanon and Israel, that are actively concerned within the ongoing conflict within the Center East.
Within the context of the competitors, Anand, who can be the vice-president of FIDE, mentioned FIDE at all times tries to search out the very best venues for its marquee occasions, including that Cyprus would supply a tremendous backdrop for such a high-level event.
“FIDE tries to first discover a good high-quality venue (and) I believe we’ve succeeded in that. Cyprus can be an excellent venue and I believe the situation goes to be superb and we attempt to preserve the gamers knowledgeable.
“It’s only a event ultimately, when you’re instructed when to go, the place to go you block that in your head… I believe all the things’s been set 4 months prematurely and looking out ahead to it,” mentioned Anand.
(With company inputs)