Playing non-stop chess takes mental and physical toll: Praggnanandhaa

Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa admitted that playing chess throughout the year takes a toll on the physical and mental aspects of a player.

"It takes some mental toll and a physical thing (as well). But we are used to it… we need to get used to it because there are tournaments all year round. I had a similar thing (situation) last year as well, so I’m sort of used to it, that’s how I want to put it,” the 19-year-old told PTI.

Praggnanandhaa recently guided the Indian men's team to the Chess Olympiad gold. As he returned home from Budapest, the venue for the Chess Olympiad, the Indian youngster said that there are times when he doesn’t even want to look at the chessboard.

“Sometimes I don’t feel like looking at chess… then I don’t look at chess (board). When I feel like looking at chess (board), I do. When I play these tournaments (across the world), sometimes I don’t look at the chess (board) during breaks or between the events. That’s how it works for me,” said Praggnanandhaa.

Praggnanandhaa will now play in the Global Chess League (GCL) in London, starting on October 3.

At the GCL, Praggnanandhaa will turn up for the Magnus Carlsen-led Alpine SG Pipers, one of the six franchises in the GCL, scheduled to commence on October 3.

Talking about his preparations for the GCL, he said, "I am not really preparing for it. I mean there was no time after we came back from the Olympiad, we have been continuously travelling and stuff like that. So, we didn’t have time. Just trying to take some rest and will prepare once I am there in London."