Indian Grandmaster D. Gukesh once again stunned the chess world by defeating World No.1 Magnus Carlsen in the rapid format at the Grand Chess Tour 2025 held in Croatia. With this win, Gukesh not only silenced his critics but also took the sole lead in the tournament by clinching five consecutive victories.
The much-anticipated match unfolded after Magnus Carlsen, in a pre-game interview, had dismissed Gukesh’s prowess in the rapid and blitz formats, claiming that Gukesh hadn’t “done anything yet to prove himself.” But chess, as always, has the final word on the board — and this time, it favored Gukesh.
Carlsen Calls Gukesh “Weak” — Gukesh Responds on the Board
On 2nd July 2025, Carlsen publicly called Gukesh a “weak player” in faster formats. But just a day later, Gukesh gave the perfect reply on the chessboard, defeating the former world champion in a dominant fashion. The match was part of Round 6 of the Grand Chess Tour Croatia, and the win puts Gukesh in a commanding position in the standings.
Match Breakdown: How Gukesh Outsmarted Carlsen
The game began aggressively, with both players blitzing out the first few moves. Carlsen, aiming to take Gukesh by surprise, opened with the English Opening, but things quickly turned after he pushed his b-pawn on the 23rd move — a critical decision that tipped the balance.
From there, Gukesh took control, opening up the position with a well-calculated c6 push. Carlsen admitted later that he had a chance to draw the game but chose to press on. That decision cost him dearly, as Gukesh capitalized with a string of precise moves.
Carlsen Reacts After His Defeat
Speaking to Take Take Take after the match, Carlsen looked visibly shaken.
“I’ve played poorly this whole tournament. I had a very nice position, but once Gukesh opened with c6, I was short on time and couldn’t recover,” he admitted.
Carlsen also praised Gukesh for “playing really well and taking his chances,” a statement that contrasted sharply with his previous comment branding the Indian GM as “unproven.”
What’s Next in the Gukesh vs Carlsen Rivalry?
The rivalry isn’t over yet. Carlsen is expected to face Gukesh again in the blitz format later in the tournament. These upcoming matches will determine whether the Norwegian legend can bounce back or whether Gukesh will continue asserting his dominance.
A New Era for Indian Chess?
This match may be a turning point in global chess. Gukesh, one of the youngest grandmasters, has been consistently climbing the ranks. His ability to beat legends like Carlsen — and now silence critics — marks a new era for Indian chess.
His victories not only inspire a generation of chess players in India but also prove that the country is producing world-class talent across all formats — classical, rapid, and blitz.
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