Daijiworld Media Network – Cyprus

Cyprus, Feb 24: American Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana has identified India’s R Praggnanandhaa as one of the leading contenders for the upcoming Candidates tournament in Cyprus, stating that the young Indian has the pedigree to triumph in elite events.

Caruana, the only player in the eight-man field to have previously won the Candidates, is widely regarded as the hot favourite this time. His vast experience in the tournament, coupled with his appearance in the World Chess Championship — where he pushed Magnus Carlsen to tiebreaks before narrowly losing — adds to his credentials.

Despite his own strong prospects, Caruana acknowledged the growing strength of the Indian grandmaster. He noted that Praggnanandhaa has consistently demonstrated the ability to compete at the highest level and possesses the maturity required to handle the pressures of a tournament as demanding as the Candidates.

Caruana also named compatriot Hikaru Nakamura as another strong contender, suggesting that apart from himself, Praggnanandhaa and Nakamura could have the best chances of winning the prestigious event.

The Candidates tournament will determine the challenger for the World Chess Championship title, making it one of the most closely watched events in the global chess calendar.