Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura Hail Praggnanandhaa’s Signing with Team Liquid

 Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura Hail Praggnanandhaa’s Signing with Team Liquid

Chennai, June 29, 2025 — Indian chess prodigy R. Praggnanandhaa received high praise from the global chess elite after being signed by premier Esports organisation Team Liquid on Saturday, marking a major milestone in his career and further elevating India's rising presence in the digital chess world.

The move was warmly welcomed by chess heavyweights Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, the top two ranked players in the world and household names in the global Esports chess scene.

Carlsen, the Norwegian five-time World Champion and long-time ambassador for the game's digital expansion, took to X (formerly Twitter) to extend a witty and heartfelt welcome to his new teammate.

“Whole lot of letters in Praggnanandhaa, but no ‘I’. Welcome to the team 🤝,” Carlsen wrote, highlighting the Indian Grandmaster’s team spirit and humility.

Carlsen and fellow American Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana are already part of Team Liquid’s roster, and the addition of Praggnanandhaa is seen as a major boost to the team’s depth and global appeal.

The 18-year-old Grandmaster from Chennai has been one of the brightest young stars in international chess, consistently delivering standout performances in both over-the-board and online formats. His recent achievements — including a run to the finals of the FIDE World Cup in 2023 and key victories over elite players — have earned him admiration from the game’s legends.

Hikaru Nakamura, the World No. 2 and arguably the most popular figure in online chess, also showered praise on Praggnanandhaa, calling him “a rare gem” and applauding Team Liquid’s decision to bring him onboard.

“Pragg is not just a talent on the board, but someone who represents the next generation of global chess — smart, humble, and fearless,” Nakamura said during a livestream on Saturday. “This is a huge win for Liquid, and honestly, for the whole chess community.”

With Praggnanandhaa’s signing, Team Liquid now boasts an unprecedented lineup of top-tier chess talent — blending traditional Grandmaster strength with digital reach and mass appeal. The move is being seen as a strong signal of the growing intersection between classical chess and the booming Esports landscape.

The inclusion of chess in major streaming and content platforms, driven in part by personalities like Nakamura and Carlsen, has made the sport more accessible than ever, drawing millions of viewers to blitz matches, bullet showdowns, and online tournaments.

In a statement, Team Liquid said it was “thrilled to welcome Praggnanandhaa,” noting that his “exceptional talent and unique spirit embody the future of competitive chess.”

For Indian fans, the signing is a source of immense pride. Social media platforms were flooded with messages of support for the teenage star, who continues to carry the torch for India’s growing chess culture.

As the chess world watches closely, one thing is clear — Praggnanandhaa’s next chapter is just beginning, and it’s going to be played on the biggest digital stage yet.