In a spectacular display of skill and determination, reigning world chess champion D Gukesh has once again asserted his dominance over chess titan Magnus Carlsen. Their highly anticipated encounter took place during the sixth round of the Grand Chess Tour SuperUnited Rapid 2025 in Zagreb, Croatia, where Gukesh emerged victorious further setting his position as a strong candidate in the chess world.
A Champion's Rise: From Day 1 to Top Spot
Gukesh's triumph over Carlsen was not an isolated incident but rather the peak of an exceptional run at the tournament. The Indian grandmaster had already showcased his strong form on Day 1, sharing the top spot individually. He carried this momentum into the second day, beginning with a decisive win against Uzbekistan's Nodirbek Abdusattorov in the fourth round. This was swiftly followed by another impressive victory over American grandmaster Fabiano Caruana in the fifth round. His momentum continued undiminished, leading directly into his crucial match against Carlsen where Gukesh masterfully secured the win playing with the black pieces. This marked Gukesh's fifth consecutive victory in the tournament and a testament to his consistent high-level play.
Answering the Doubters: Carlsen's Pre-Tournament Comments
What makes Gukesh's victory particularly noteworthy is the context provided by Magnus Carlsen's pre-tournament remarks. Carlsen, considered by many to be the greatest chess player of all time had surprisingly labelled Gukesh as "one of the weaker players" in the event.
In an interview prior to the tournament, Carlsen stated, "Gukesh hasn't done anything to indicate that he's going to do well in such a tournament." He acknowledged Gukesh's prior performance at the same event, noting, "Gukesh actually played quite well here last time." However, he expressed reservations about Gukesh's consistency in this format, elaborating, "But it remains to be proven that he's one of the best players in such a format. This is a very, very strong field that we have here. Players like Gukesh and Anish Giri... they have a lot to prove because there aren't a lot of players you can feast on. In the course of 27 rounds, things usually show." Carlsen even went so far as to say, "I hope for Gukesh's sake that he can play better, but playing him in this tournament I will sort of approach it as I'm playing one of the presumably weaker players in the tournament actually."
Gukesh's resounding victory over Carlsen, especially after such dismissive comments, serves as a powerful justification and a clear statement of his current skill and mental strength.
Overcoming Early Hurdles and Building Momentum
Despite Carlsen's earlier assessment, Gukesh's tournament journey wasn't without its initial challenges. He began the competition with a loss against Duda. However, he quickly regrouped, showcasing his resilience by subsequently overpowering a "reckless" Alireza Firouzja of France. He then went on to defeat his compatriot, R Praggnanandhaa, bringing his score to four points out of a possible six before his impressive winning streak truly began. Gukesh's performance in Zagreb is a clear message to the chess world by proving that his reigning world champion title is well-earned and that he is a force to be reckoned with, capable of overcoming both strong opponents and pre-tournament self-doubts.
A Shift in the Balance of Power
For years, Magnus Carlsen has been the unchallenged benchmark of modern chess. Yet Garry Kasparov himself, once the sport’s gold standard now believes Carlsen’s era of effortless rule is facing real scrutiny. The spark? A clear cut Rapid format defeat delivered by India’s teenage prodigy, Gukesh D.
Speaking on the event’s official broadcast, Kasparov did not mince words.
“It’s not a fluke or a one move blunder,” he emphasized. “This was a genuine battle—and Magnus lost.” Kasparov called the result “a convincing loss,” noting that it marks Carlsen’s second setback at Gukesh’s hands and cannot be dismissed as simple chance.
The Russian legend went further, criticizing Carlsen’s approach to the contest. According to Kasparov, the Norwegian star arrived “looking for revenge after Norway Chess,” an attitude he sees as counterproductive. In chess, Kasparov argued that a vengeful mindset can cloud calculation and affect the patience required at the highest level.
Kasparov praise on Gukesh’s composure, comparing the 18 year old’s steadiness to that of a computer engine. “If you lose concentration against him, you’re finished,” he remarked. “He’s the kind of player you must defeat several times in the same game, because he keeps finding resources.” That unblinking toughness, Kasparov suggested, is precisely what allowed Gukesh to convert small advantages into a full point against Carlsen.
A Sweet Reply to Doubters
Gukesh’s win carries extra significance because it rebuts critics who, before the tournament began and dismissed him as a “weaker player.” Instead of crumbling under that label that he closed Day 1 in Zagreb tied for first place, then surged ahead by beating both Fabiano Caruana and Carlsen on Day 2.
Kasparov’s decades long record as the youngest Classical world champion was only recently hidden by Gukesh and now the youngster is carving out a reputation as Carlsen’s most credible rival. While it is premature to write Carlsen off, the narrative of unchallenged supremacy is gone. With each confident result, Gukesh stakes a stronger claim to the future of elite chess and forces the leading king to adapt or be dethroned.
Everything turned on Carlsen’s 23rd move. By advancing his b pawn, he tried to pry open fresh lines and keep the initiative. Instead, the pawn thrust upset the delicate balance. Sensing an opportunity, Gukesh countered with …c6, tearing at the centre and turning the board into strategic chaos. From that moment, momentum shifted firmly toward the Indian prodigy.
As complications multiplied, the clock turned from ally to enemy for Carlsen. Short on time, he struggled to find crisp defensive ideas while Gukesh wound off a string of accurate replies, “really, really good moves,” as Carlsen later accepted.
Speaking to Take Take Take after the loss, Carlsen cut a humiliated figure. He admitted his form had been “poor” all event and that this time he was “soundly punished.” Recognising Gukesh’s opportunism, he praised the youngster for both sharp calculation and icy composure under time pressure.
“I thought, well, let’s keep playing,” Carlsen reflected. “A couple of minutes later, I was hopelessly lost. It was poor, but all credit to Gukesh. He’s playing well and taking his chances.”
Gukesh Answers the Critics
For Gukesh, the victory was more than a single point as it was a hurtful rebuttal to pre match doubts about his rapid skill. Demonstrating meticulous preparation and nerves of steel, he showed he can convert even a small slip by the very best into a decisive triumph.
Carlsen’s mis step does not erase his dominance, but it punctures the aura of invincibility surrounding his rapid play. For chess fans, the message is clear that in today’s hyper competitive elite scene, no margin for error remains and the next generation is ready to seize every chance offered.
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