Praggnanandhaa Heralded as Grand Chess Tour Favourite Amidst Titans

India's leading chess prodigy, R Praggnanandhaa, is anticipated to be one of the favorites as the Grand Chess Tour's third edition of rapid and blitz plays out. Despite being the underdog, Praggnanandhaa demonstrated remarkable consistency, winning his last two games at the UZ Masters before excelling in the tiebreaks.

The Croatian leg is set to be a spectacle, featuring the world's best, including Magnus Carlsen and reigning champion D Gukesh, as they face off in the faster-paced chess format. Carlsen, who excels in rapid and blitz, may have the edge, yet Praggnanandhaa poses a serious challenge.

Gukesh, although less experienced in rapid play, aims to adapt to its demands. Meanwhile, Carlsen's decision to refrain from FIDE events heightens the stakes, with fans eager to see whether Praggnanandhaa can upset the favorite.

(With inputs from agencies.)