The chess world is in excitement as Magnus Carlsen shows his support towards the Indian teenage sensation, R. Praggnanandhaa. Now, all of us are aware of the unsaid rivalry between Carlsen and Gukesh D, but Carlsen has always been supportive of Pragg, and it shows.
Praggnanandhaa is just 19 and already considered one of the brightest minds in chess history. He even managed to beat Magnus Carlsen multiple times in their endless encounters, earning the well-deserved respect from the GOAT himself.
In 2022, Pragg defeated Carlsen at the Champions Chess Tour, and in 2024, he claimed his first classical win against the Norwegian at Norway Chess. Then, in July 2025, he pulled off a stunning double victory over Carlsen at the Las Vegas Freestyle Chess event. These achievements have not just earned him respect but have also brought him close to being a chess icon himself.
Magnus Carlsen’s admiration for R Praggnanandhaa is quite evident. During the 2023 FIDE World Cup, where both players battled fiercely before Carlsen ultimately prevailed, the Norwegian showed his respect by patting Praggnanandhaa on the back. Carlsen has also acknowledged the influence of Praggnanandhaa’s childhood coach, RB Ramesh, whose “Be Like Pragg” motto became popular even in Carlsen’s own chess club in Norway.
Magnus Carlsen Wants Praggnanandhaa To Become World Champion?
In recent interviews, Magnus Carlsen has indirectly endorsed Praggnanandhaa’s talent as the young Indian pursues a spot in the prestigious Candidates Tournament. This tournament is crucial because it decides who will challenge the reigning world champion. Carlsen’s remarks underline a bright future for R Praggnanandhaa, who is likely to qualify through the FIDE circuit, just like Fabiano Caruana did.
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When asked about who deserves a spot in Candidates, he said, “I don’t really hope for anybody. But I generally hope to see the best players there. I don’t know. There are a lot of… probably a couple more of the young guys. But honestly, as long as Pragg is in there, you know, there isn’t a lot to choose between (the rest). I hope Alireza Firouzja makes it, but I’m not even sure he’s going to play in the World Cup.”
So, does Carlsen root for R Praggnanandhaa? While there isn’t a loud public cheering from Carlsen, his actions and words show clear respect and belief in the young Indian’s capabilities. It’s less about overt rooting and more about a professional admiration that every great sportsman has for a worthy competitor.
Also read: PM Narendra Modi Applauds Vaishali Rameshbabu’s Historic Grand Swiss Win
