Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa showcased his versatility by spending his free time playing Jenga, sharing his experience through a video on social media platform X on Thursday. The young Grandmaster, who won the Tata Masters earlier in the year and secured a spot in the prestigious Grand Chess Tour Final in Brazil, demonstrated how he unwinds between competitions while maintaining his competitive edge.Praggnanandhaa shared his thoughts on the parallel between chess and Jenga through a social media post, stating: “Chess needs focus, but Jenga tests your nerves too. Great to unwind and share some laughs with friends during free time.”WATCH: R Praggnanandhaa plays jenga with friends during off timeThe chess champion’s recent achievements include finishing as runner-up at the 2025 Sinquefield Cup, which secured his position in the Grand Chess Tour Final in Brazil. This accomplishment further solidifies his standing among the world’s top chess players.His victory at the Tata Masters highlighted an emerging rivalry with World Champion D. Gukesh, as they faced off in a decisive tiebreaker round. This competition underscores the rising prominence of Indian chess players on the international stage.The chess landscape in India has experienced significant growth in recent years, with the country’s success in international tournaments serving as evidence of this upward trajectory. Praggnanandhaa’s consistent performances against established players, including matches against Magnus Carlsen, have contributed to this rising trend.The 20-year-old grandmaster is now set to participate in the Global Chess League Season 3 draft, scheduled to take place in Mumbai on Friday. He will be featured as one of the Icon players in the draft, while World Champion Gukesh is also in the Icons category.The draft includes a pool of 36 elite players, featuring renowned names such as five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, Hikaru Nakamura, Fabiano Caruana, and Alireza Firouzja. Other notable participants include Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Anish Giri, Arjun Erigaisi, four-time world champion Hou Yifan, and World Cup finalist Koneru Humpy.
