Candidates: French GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave doubts R Praggnanandhaa's chances

French Grandmaster (GM) Maxime Vachier-Lagrave has ranked India’s R Praggnanandhaa successful the 3rd tier (B tier) for the upcoming Candidates tournament, calling it a spot of a “hot take".While helium made it wide that each 8 players person a accidental to win, helium based his ranking chiefly connected existent signifier alternatively than axenic skill.Explaining his decision, Vachier-Lagrave, arsenic quoted by The Indian Express, said, “It’s harsh due to the fact that you cognize that skill-wise, if we were successful the archetypal six oregon 8 months of 2025 close now, Pragg would person been astatine S tier.”

He acknowledged that Praggnanandhaa had a beardown 2025 but pointed retired a dip successful show successful caller tournaments.

According to him, results astatine events similar the Grand Swiss, World Cup, and Wijk aan Zee showed a conflict successful maintaining apical form.He added, “I’m truly not convinced from his Wijk performance. And Wijk tin bash immoderate harm also.” Because the Candidates tourney is close, helium believes determination whitethorn not beryllium capable clip for a afloat comeback successful form. “If I person the warrant that helium volition negociate to find the cardinal to interruption that spiral, I would enactment him astatine S tier.

But present I’m going to enactment him successful the B tier. That’s however important I deliberation existent signifier is.”Vachier-Lagrave besides highlighted that signifier dips tin beryllium hard to retrieve from, particularly for a young player. “It’s a blistery instrumentality but it’s been 6 months and his signifier has truly not been great.” He further explained, “From my ain acquisition and acquisition of different players—it's not astir conscionable 1 atrocious Wijk now. It's astir six months of tournaments that were acold from his champion and to detach yourself from six months of so-so results is not easy.”