We are relying on learnings from past events: Praggnanandhaa coach Suri

After a bumpy start to the year, R. Praggnanandhaa has hit a purple patch. He made heads turn with a historic triumph in Norway Chess and stormed to victory in St. Louis Rapid & Blitz last week.

As Praggnanandhaa lets his moves do the talking on the board, the work he has been putting in with coach Vaibhav Suri seems to be paying off. “We did pay a little more attention to the opponents (in St. Louis) and tried to be in control. In the shorter formats, [holding the] nerves play a big role. I think that he was in far better control than in previous events,” Suri said.

It is all about learning constantly and improving, Suri emphasised as his ward continues the good run in the ongoing Sinquefield Cup in the USA — the 21-year-old put it across World championship challenger Javokhir Sindarov and Jordan van Foreest. “Preparation plays a huge part in classical chess, and we are relying on the learnings from previous events.”

With the Olympiad on the horizon and the in-form Praggnanandhaa expected to lead the Open team’s challenge, Suri felt that India had a strong squad, adding “there are huge expectations because we are the defending champions.” “The focus is going to be on trying to put the four best players on that given day and hope that they play their best. I am sure that Pragg, D. Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, Nihal Sarin and Vidit Gujrathi will be preparing very seriously for the Olympiad.”